School Science Lab Design
- Rob Main
- Sep 16
- 9 min read
A modern school science lab must be more than a functional classroom. It is a space where pupils can investigate, collaborate, and apply scientific concepts through hands-on learning. The design of these spaces has to balance safety, compliance, and durability with layouts that make teaching and supervision straightforward.
At Brookhouse, we bring over 45 years of experience in educational refurbishment and interiors. As a CLEAPSS-compliant provider with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 18001 certifications, we guarantee that every laboratory we deliver meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability.
Our laboratories are also available through certified frameworks, including PAGABO, ESPO, Everything FM, and the Crescent Purchasing Consortium, making procurement straightforward for schools and local authorities.
Our approach combines robust materials, compliant systems, and immersive design tools such as Leica Geosystem scanning and Autodesk Revit 3D modelling. From consultation to installation and aftercare, we provide a complete turnkey package.
Brookhouse science laboratories are designed to be safe, compliant, and inspiring learning environments. Whether refurbishing existing spaces or creating new installations, we ensure that every project delivers long-term value for schools and lasting benefits for pupils and staff.
Table of Contents
Why School Science Labs Matter
School science laboratories are central to delivering effective STEM education. They give pupils opportunities to test theories, develop practical skills, and experience science in ways that a textbook cannot provide. A well-designed laboratory is therefore an essential investment, supporting both academic achievement and pupil confidence.
For teachers, science labs need to be safe, easy to supervise, and flexible enough to accommodate different teaching styles. Clear sightlines, organised layouts, and accessible services reduce risks and allow staff to focus on instruction. For pupils, these spaces foster curiosity, teamwork, and discipline, building the problem-solving and communication skills required in further education and future careers.
Brookhouse designs laboratories that support these outcomes. Our spaces are CLEAPSS compliant and meet HSE and British Standards, giving schools the assurance that lessons are delivered in safe environments. By combining compliance with modern teaching needs, we create labs that not only protect pupils but also inspire them to engage more deeply with science.
With ISO 9001, 14001, and 18001 certifications, Brookhouse ensures quality, sustainability, and safety across every project. This commitment helps schools provide students with STEM-focused environments that prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Safety-Driven Layout & Materials
The foundation of every effective school science lab is its layout and the durability of its materials. A carefully planned environment reduces risks, supports teaching, and ensures that pupils can carry out practical work safely. Brookhouse places compliance and resilience at the centre of each design.
Lab Layout Planning
Clear circulation routes are essential to prevent congestion and accidents. At Brookhouse, we design layouts that allow teachers full sightlines across the room, so lessons can be supervised easily and interventions made quickly when required.
Service points for gas, water, and electricity are positioned for safe access, while workbenches are arranged to give each pupil enough personal space to complete tasks without obstruction. Our CAD and Revit 3D design tools allow schools to visualise these layouts before installation, reducing errors and ensuring confidence.
Durable Materials
Science labs must withstand heavy daily use while protecting staff and pupils. Brookhouse specifies solid grade laminate worktops that resist scratches, heat, and chemicals, providing long-lasting surfaces that remain safe and easy to clean. Floors are finished in non-slip materials to reduce falls, while skid-based stools at the correct height support comfort and posture. Hardware and fittings are chosen for strength and longevity, with warranties that guarantee performance over time.
All designs are CLEAPSS compliant, meeting UK safety guidance and HSE standards. Combined with our use of high-quality hardware and durable systems designed to resist damage, this ensures every laboratory remains safe, functional, and cost-effective for years to come.
By combining intelligent layout planning with high-quality, resilient materials, Brookhouse delivers science laboratories that are safe, efficient, and designed to meet the needs of modern schools.
Essential Safety Features
Safety is the cornerstone of every Brookhouse science laboratory. Without the right infrastructure, practical lessons carry unnecessary risks for both pupils and staff. Our designs integrate essential safety features from the outset, ensuring compliance with CLEAPSS guidance, HSE requirements, and British Standards.
Fume Cupboards & Ventilation
Proper ventilation is non-negotiable in any science lab. Brookhouse installs CLEAPSS-compliant fume cupboards and extraction systems that safely remove hazardous vapours and improve air quality. These are positioned for easy access and supervision, ensuring safe operation without disrupting lessons. Combined with mechanical ventilation and air-quality controls, they create healthier environments for teaching and learning.
Secure Storage
Safe storage of chemicals and equipment is vital. We provide lockable cupboards, ventilated cabinets, and fitted storage walls, designed specifically for laboratory use. This ensures hazardous substances remain inaccessible to pupils while allowing teachers and technicians controlled access. Brookhouse also integrates separate storage for coats and bags, keeping personal items out of teaching areas to minimise clutter and trip hazards.
Emergency Controls & Eyewash
Every Brookhouse laboratory includes built-in emergency systems. Gas shut-off valves, emergency stops for electrical circuits, and eyewash stations are incorporated as standard, supported by clear signage and positioning for rapid response. These features align with CLEAPSS and HSE safety protocols, giving schools confidence that laboratories are equipped to deal with incidents effectively.
By embedding safety into the very structure of our laboratory designs, Brookhouse ensures that pupils and staff are protected at all times. These safeguards form part of our complete turnkey package, giving schools a compliant, reliable, and future-proof solution.
Enhancing Learning Through Lab Design
A well-designed laboratory does more than provide a safe environment — it actively enhances teaching and learning. At Brookhouse, we design spaces that support STEM-focused education, enabling pupils to connect theory with practice and develop skills for further study and future careers.
Collaborative layouts encourage pupils to work in teams, developing communication and problem-solving abilities alongside scientific knowledge. Teacher sightlines are built into every design, allowing staff to monitor activities easily while maintaining an engaging teaching presence.
Technology integration plays a vital role in modern science education. Brookhouse laboratories can include interactive teaching walls, ICT connectivity, and audiovisual systems that support blended learning. These features allow schools to deliver both practical and theoretical lessons seamlessly in the same space.
Our designs also incorporate flexibility. Modular furniture, movable benches, and adaptable layouts ensure that the same laboratory can support biology, chemistry, and physics lessons without compromising safety or teaching quality.
By combining safety with modern teaching tools, Brookhouse creates laboratories that prepare pupils for the demands of STEM education. Every feature — from bench placement to integrated ICT — is chosen to improve engagement, foster curiosity, and help pupils develop the confidence to explore science beyond the classroom.
Specialised Zones & Infrastructure
Different branches of science require different environments. Brookhouse designs laboratories with specialist zones for biology, chemistry, and physics, supported by technician prep rooms that keep lessons running smoothly. Each area is tailored to the subject’s unique demands, while maintaining compliance with CLEAPSS, HSE, and British Standards.
Biology Labs
Biology teaching requires clean, organised spaces with reliable access to sinks, microscopes, and specimen storage. Brookhouse provides layouts that allow close supervision while ensuring safe handling of samples and equipment. Ventilation, lighting, and surfaces are designed to support both routine experiments and more advanced biological investigations.
Chemistry Labs
Safety is paramount in chemistry. Brookhouse integrates fume cupboards, fire-resistant storage, and chemical-resistant worktops as standard. Ventilation systems are calibrated to manage gases and vapours, while robust flooring and surfaces withstand spills and repeated cleaning. All designs follow CLEAPSS recommendations for safe chemical storage and disposal.
Physics Labs
Physics requires flexible layouts that can adapt to a range of experiments, from circuits to optics. Brookhouse incorporates ICT connectivity, adjustable benches, and durable furniture to accommodate varied equipment and teaching styles. Sightlines are kept clear to allow teachers to supervise safely even during complex activities.
Prep Rooms
Behind every effective laboratory is a well-equipped preparation area. Brookhouse designs technician rooms adjacent to labs for safe storage, preparation, and cleaning of equipment.
These rooms include fume cupboards where necessary, lockable storage for hazardous materials, and clear workflows that minimise risks when moving resources in and out of classrooms.
By tailoring each zone to subject-specific needs while unifying them under strict compliance standards, Brookhouse ensures that schools receive laboratories that are practical, safe, and versatile. Whether refurbishing existing rooms or building new facilities, our designs support high-quality STEM teaching across every discipline.
Comfort & Sustainability
A laboratory must provide more than safety and functionality — it must also be comfortable for pupils and staff, and sustainable for the long term. Brookhouse incorporates environmental and wellbeing considerations into every science lab project, ensuring spaces are both practical and responsible.
Lighting is planned to reduce glare, with levels appropriate for delicate scientific work. Natural light is used where possible, supported by blinds or shading to maintain consistent conditions. Heating and ventilation systems are designed to keep air quality within safe limits, preventing fatigue and improving concentration during lessons. Acoustic treatments reduce background noise and help teachers maintain clear communication throughout experiments.
Brookhouse also integrates ISO 14001-certified practices, reflecting our commitment to sustainability. We specify durable, eco-friendly materials such as solid grade laminate worktops and recyclable furniture solutions that minimise environmental impact while ensuring longevity. Energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and waste management strategies are included to lower operational costs and reduce carbon footprints.
These measures are part of a holistic approach: creating labs that are comfortable for daily teaching, cost-effective for schools, and responsible for the environment. By aligning safety, comfort, and sustainability, Brookhouse ensures that laboratories deliver value well beyond their installation.
Our Process - School Science Lab Design
Every Brookhouse science laboratory follows a clear, structured process designed to give schools confidence at every stage. From the first conversation to long-term support, we provide a full turnkey service that minimises disruption and ensures compliance.
The process begins with consultation and site survey, where our team listens to your requirements and assesses existing spaces. We use advanced tools such as Leica Geosystem scanning, Autodesk Revit 3D modelling, and Openspace mapping to capture precise measurements and create accurate visualisations. This technology allows schools to see their laboratory design in detail before work begins, reducing errors and avoiding costly rework.
Following approval, we move to manufacture and installation, drawing on decades of experience in educational interiors. Our teams manage the entire process, coordinating with schools to minimise disruption and deliver projects on schedule.
Finally, we provide comprehensive aftercare, ensuring that each laboratory continues to perform safely and effectively. Our aftercare includes inspections, maintenance advice, and responsive support, helping schools protect their investment long after installation.
This process reflects Brookhouse’s commitment to quality, compliance, and long-term value, backed by our ISO certifications and CLEAPSS-compliant standards.
Case Studies
Brookhouse has delivered a wide range of school science laboratory projects across the UK, each one tailored to the needs of the institution while meeting the highest safety and compliance standards. These case studies highlight how our approach translates into practical results for schools.
FAQs
Q1. What safety standards do Brookhouse science labs follow?
All Brookhouse laboratories are designed in line with CLEAPSS guidance, HSE requirements, and British Standards (BS EN). This ensures safe layouts, compliant materials, and appropriate safety equipment in every project.
Q2. How much space should be allocated per student in a science lab?
We typically recommend 4–5m² per pupil, depending on the subject and class size. This allows safe circulation, clear sightlines for teachers, and sufficient workspace for practical experiments.
Q3. What materials are used for laboratory worktops and furniture?
Brookhouse specifies solid grade laminate worktops, chosen for their resistance to scratches, heat, and chemicals. Furniture is robust, easy to clean, and designed to withstand daily use in busy school environments.
Q4. Can existing science labs be refurbished instead of replaced?
Yes. Brookhouse offers laboratory refurbishment services, upgrading layouts, surfaces, and safety systems without the cost of a complete rebuild. This is a cost-effective way to meet modern standards while extending the life of existing facilities.
Q5. What safety features are included as standard?
Our labs incorporate fume cupboards, eyewash stations, emergency gas shut-off valves, ventilated storage, and clear signage. Each design is tailored to the school’s needs but always prioritises pupil and staff safety.
Q6. How does Brookhouse ensure accessibility in science labs?
For inclusive learning, we provide adjustable benches, wide circulation routes, and adapted storage solutions. These ensure that pupils of all abilities can participate in practical science safely and comfortably.
Q7. What technologies can be integrated into modern labs?
Brookhouse laboratories often feature teaching walls, ICT connectivity, and audiovisual systems. These tools allow teachers to deliver blended lessons that combine theory, demonstrations, and practical activities.
Q8. How long does a typical science lab project take?
Project timescales vary depending on scope. A refurbishment may take a few weeks, while a new installation can extend to several months. Our use of Revit 3D modelling and Leica scanning helps streamline planning and minimise delays.
Q9. What aftercare does Brookhouse provide once a lab is complete?
We provide full aftercare support, including inspections, maintenance advice, and responsive service. This ensures that laboratories remain compliant, safe, and functional long after installation.
Start Your Project with Brookhouse
Brookhouse is ready to support your next school science lab project.
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