How Can Design Benefit Science and Technology Tenants? Find Out At Bisnow’s March 28 Conference
As the largest life sciences market in the U.S., Boston has shown an enduring commitment to delivering sophisticated research and development spaces. A January 2024 CBRE report found that Boston-Cambridge is set to add 13.4M SF of R&D lab spaces within the next two years.
As advancements and discoveries continue in the life sciences sector, there's a pressing need for building designers to adapt by considering space planning and integrating new technologies to facilitate a productive and collaborative environment for tenants. This includes accommodating diverse arrangements and working styles to ensure comfort and creating flexible floorplans that can evolve with tenants' needs over time.
Tzveta Panayotova, senior vice president of science and technology at CannonDesign, provides a perspective seasoned by a 20-year career in the life sciences sector. She stresses the importance of designing spaces that foster collaboration and support positive outcomes in research and innovation, and she advocates for a departure from conventional design paradigms.
“Given the rapid advances in technology, connectivity and information dissemination, adhering to rigid design methodologies is inherently counterproductive,” she said. “The advancements in artificial intelligence and augmented reality will not only propel research endeavors but also serve as instrumental tools in reshaping the architectural landscape, influencing how users engage with and occupy space.”
Panayotova will be attending Bisnow’s Boston Life Sciences Conference on March 28 and contributing to the Enhancing Greater Boston’s Biotech Ecosystems and Innovation Hubs panel. The conference will delve into the nuanced ways in which life sciences communities can actively contribute to the advancement of the sector and analyze the dynamics of how public-private partnerships play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of the market.
Bisnow sat down with Panayotova to discuss the state of the Boston life sciences market, her contribution to the sector and the impact of design on enhancing innovation.
Bisnow: What are some of the trends you’re seeing in Boston’s life sciences market?
Panayotova: The pandemic galvanized many sectors of the economy, but the R&D industry in particular was brought to a new level of speed, innovation, delivery and optimization. Boston remains a hotbed for venture capital investment. As a true hub for life sciences, there is currently an abundance of available space that can either be tenant-tailored or ready to be leased.
Due to the recent economic situation, the Boston market is adjusting to the new trends. Yet there seems to be more caution in terms of space selection and commitment. On the bright side, this means that tenants can get more readily available space that might not have been available or accessible before. This can allow for growth or simply a chance to enter the market.
Moreover, Boston boasts incredible access to a highly trained talent pool, albeit in a very competitive market. More people are graduating with biology or biomedical sciences degrees than ever before. A tremendous growth in data scientists, which is outpacing the growth of biology, chemistry and other traditional fields, showcases the need to organize, process and analyze R&D data and ultimately arrive at a decision quickly.
Bisnow: Can you explain more about your current role at CannonDesign? How do you apply your extensive design experience to Boston's life sciences market?
Panayotova: As a science and technology lead for CannonDesign in the Northeast, my focus is on expanding our team and market share in Boston.
In my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with global clients, government institutions, startups and public health entities. All of that diverse experience fosters a thoughtful, client-tailored approach, ultimately targeting efficient delivery and good design.
CannonDesign is heavily invested in healthcare and science and technology design. The living-centered design approach of the firm strives to create solutions that have a meaningful impact.
Bisnow: How can a building's design contribute to enhancing life sciences innovation? What are some elements that today's tenants must have in their buildings?
Panayotova: Building design plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation in life sciences. We strive for flexible and adjustable environments, access to nature and daylight and future-proofing the design. Spaces should also be culturally inclusive, safe and neurodiverse for everyone to feel that they have the right environment to be productive. Buildings are expected to be multifunctional and modifiable with emerging space needs that can be programmed, like having a cafeteria and collaboration space by day and a meeting hall or event space by night, for example.
Most of all, post-pandemic design needs to be centered on access and intentional collaboration. Hybrid work and a global workforce require technologically advanced environments.
There is a growing investment in artificial intelligence, which not only facilitates the actual R&D process but also supports the occupancy, operations and use of buildings. The industry will have to rethink the conventional building design and plan for smarter and more sustainable solutions.
Bisnow: What do you look forward to most about attending the Boston Life Sciences conference?
Panayotova: I am keen to engage in discussions with a diverse group of participants, ranging from state and investment representatives to research and architecture professionals. The panel topic itself is interesting as well: addressing how to innovate the ecosystem and build a hub of collaboration.
Additionally, the opportunity for audience participation and networking promises valuable insights and connections, contributing to the advancement of the life sciences sector in Boston. I’m looking forward to all of their questions and seeing what the event brings this year.
This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and CannonDesign. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to [email protected].
