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A 10-foot laboratory module may work well for some research programs, but it is not a universal replacement for the 11-foot module. The right width depends on the work, equipment, circulation, accessibility, safety requirements and flexibility the lab must support. NIH retains 11 feet as its standard for most biomedical laboratories; its guidance allows a different module for new construction when a strong rationale is accepted by appropriate stakeholders.
What is a laboratory module, and why does its width matter?
A laboratory module is a planning dimension that coordinates the lab’s bench and equipment layout with fixed building elements. It affects more than the gap between benches: as NIH’s Design Requirements Manual and its 2013 module-design bulletin explain, the module also influences casework placement, structure and utility distribution. Those decisions can shape how easily the space works and adapts over the life of the building.
The question is therefore not simply whether 10 feet is better than 11. It is whether a particular module supports the planned research and building systems without compromising clearances, circulation or future use.
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NIH’s December 2013 bulletin called 11 feet the prevailing ideal for most biomedical research labs. Its current Design Requirements Manual, Revision 2.1, dated August 2, 2024, still sets 11 feet as the standard for most biomedical laboratories. The manual’s typical arrangement consists of a 5-foot (1.5-metre) aisle plus 2.5–3 feet (762–914 mm) of bench or equipment on each side.
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That layout provides a planning baseline, not a guarantee that every room or workflow will fit. Deeper equipment, optical or imaging systems, robotics and other specialized setups may need more space or a separate specialty room. NIH’s dimensions are guidance for NIH facilities, not a universal building-code mandate for every institution. Projects must follow the applicable local requirements and the standards of their institution.
When might a 10-foot module be practical?
HDR’s August 17, 2026 article, “Doing More Science in Less Space,” argues that older module assumptions may merit reconsideration as equipment and research workflows change. A narrower module may be worth evaluating where the planned work uses less bench depth or where computational work, automation and shared support alter how many people and how much equipment occupy the lab at once.
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HDR reports that its research found a shift from 30–40 scientists conducting wet-bench work in the lab environment to typically fewer than 10. That is HDR’s claim, not a verified sector-wide statistic: the indexed article does not provide enough methodology to assess how broadly the figure applies. It should not be used on its own to size a laboratory or assume that fewer occupants mean a narrower module is safe or effective.
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How should you evaluate 10 feet versus 11 feet?
Compare the options against the project’s actual activities and constraints rather than relying on a single standard dimension. NIH’s 5-foot aisle and bench-depth arrangement is a useful reference point, while the specific research program determines whether that arrangement—or an alternative—works.
| Planning factor | Questions to resolve |
|---|---|
| Research and occupancy | How much work is wet-bench research, computational work or automated processing? How many people need to work in the room at the same time, and what shared support belongs elsewhere? |
| Equipment and access | What are the full dimensions of equipment, including doors, service zones and operating clearances? Do deep, vibration-sensitive or specialized systems need a wider or separate space? |
| Circulation and safety | Can staff move and work safely while maintaining required aisle, accessibility, egress and biosafety-related clearances? Confirm the applicable requirements with the responsible project professionals and authorities. |
| Utilities and adaptability | How will the module coordinate with structure, casework and utility distribution? Could future equipment, changes in room use or relocated benches make the narrower arrangement difficult to adapt? |
| Building impact | What does each option change in floor area, structural design, materials, construction waste and operating energy? Use project-specific estimates rather than assuming a fixed saving from reducing the module. |
| Project type and governing standards | Is this new construction or a renovation, and which institutional, building and safety standards apply? Existing structures and utilities can limit renovation choices. |
For new NIH laboratory construction, the 2024 manual says an alternative to the 11-foot module requires a strong rationale demonstrating that it better serves program or function and acceptance by appropriate stakeholders. Renovations allow more discretion because existing structures and utilities may constrain the layout. Other institutions may set different requirements, so confirm the governing standard early.
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What could a narrower module save—and what is not established?
HDR links smaller structural bays and a leaner building footprint to possible reductions in construction materials, embodied carbon and operating energy. Those benefits depend on the project: a change in module width can interact with the building’s structural grid, utilities, room count and mechanical systems. The reviewed article provides no quantified savings for switching to 10 feet, so no specific cost, carbon or energy reduction can be assumed.
Ask the project team to compare the complete designs, not just the nominal module dimension. The useful comparison is whether the proposed layout meets the research program and applicable requirements while producing demonstrable whole-project benefits.
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A practical decision rule
Keep 11 feet as the starting point when it is the applicable institutional standard, then test a narrower module only against a documented program and equipment plan. Choose 10 feet where the design can show adequate working and access clearances, support the required workflows and utilities, meet relevant standards, and remain adaptable. If those conditions cannot be demonstrated, a smaller footprint alone is not a sufficient reason to narrow the lab.
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