Modular design path and practice exploration in university research laboratories: Taking the School of Emergent Soft Matter of South China University of Technology as an example

In response to the frequent demolition and renovation of university research laboratory buildings and the waste of construction funds caused by personalized designs, this article aims to explore effective strategies for the modular construction of university laboratories. The goal is to reduce laboratory construction costs, optimize space utilization, and improve experimental efficiency, thereby supporting the development of comprehensive and multifunctional laboratories in the context of multidisciplinary integration.

Taking the School of Emergent Soft Matter at the South China University of Technology Guangzhou International Campus as an example, this paper proposes a modular laboratory design framework based on standardization, customization, module design, and coding. The design process considers the types of experiments conducted by teachers and students, their research tasks and directions, and the structural and layout requirements of the school’s laboratory building. Equipment selection and key technical parameters for the main modules are also addressed.

This paper identifies two key aspects for establishing the modular design basis: functional and task requirements, and structural and layout requirements. A modular combination layout mode for experimental units is adopted to determine the basic laboratory module size alongside the design of a three-channel traffic organization system. To address personalized demands arising from interdisciplinary intersections, unit module designs follow principles such as controlling ventilation volume, reorganizing furniture, reserving space and mechanical and electrical conditions, and avoiding ceiling installations. The module design focuses on the ventilation system, with pipelines connecting unit modules horizontally on the same floor and vertically across floors. Modules are also reasonably coded. In terms of equipment selection, ① auxiliary air fume hoods with internal air inlets are chosen, offering adjustable internal air supply ratios and harmful gas leakage rates exceeding domestic and international standards; ② movable workbenches and storage cabinets are arranged with a central tower crane providing multiple connection points; ③ new air handling units are designed based on the air supply conditions inside exhaust cabinets, enabling the reuse of old equipment while meeting temperature and humidity requirements; ④ activated carbon adsorption is used to treat exhaust gases; ⑤ a closed liquid ring vacuum supply system and a tank-type nitrogen purging system are implemented. In terms of technical parameters, ① Miaoliu intelligent air valves are adopted to enable independent control of variable air volume in exhaust cabinets, maintaining laboratory micro-negative pressure; ② the coefficient of simultaneous use of the school's laboratories is determined to be 0.6~0.7; ③ the air exchange rate for a single module ventilation system is set at 8~10 times per hour.

Laboratory construction is a complex system engineering challenge, and the modular construction concept offers flexibility, efficiency, and customizability. Modular laboratory construction can shorten construction timelines, reduce investment costs, and optimize space and functional module planning. In the future, modular laboratory design should prioritize intelligent, green, and sustainable development to provide researchers with an improved research environment.