Featuring Jennie Taveras, Vice President & Life Sciences Sector Leader, STO Building Group
The life sciences sector is one of the fastest growing and most complex areas in construction today. With advancements in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical research, the demand for state-of-the-art laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and flexible research spaces continues to surge.
To gain some insight into the challenges, innovations, and trends shaping this dynamic sector, we sat down with STO Building Group’s Vice President and Life Sciences Sector Leader, Jennie Taveras.
Q1: What exactly is “life sciences,” and why is it such a booming sector in construction?
Taveras: At its core, life sciences is the study of living organisms. Since ancient times, humans have explored ways to diagnose, prevent, and cure diseases. Today, with rapid technological advancements, we can better understand complex biological systems and develop more effective treatments. This progress fuels growth in the life sciences sector, driving the need for specialized spaces that support research, development, and manufacturing. These facilities must meet strict regulatory standards, which directly impacts how they are designed and built. As a result, life sciences construction remains a vital and expanding market.
Q2: How do the unique requirements of labs, research spaces, and manufacturing facilities influence construction?
Taveras: The biggest influence comes from regulatory requirements. Life sciences facilities must adhere to stringent safety and efficacy standards, especially when developing medicines for public consumption. Guidelines like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) dictate everything from air cleanliness to ISO certifications that ensure the space is compliant for its intended use. Additionally, the type of medicine or research being conducted—whether it’s cell therapy, biologics, or pharmaceuticals—shapes the facility’s design. Each project is unique, demanding highly specialized planning to align with both scientific needs and regulatory standards.
Q3: What planning strategies can help accelerate project timelines while maintaining quality and compliance?
Taveras: Early engagement is key. Involving regulatory bodies, design firms, and construction teams at the very beginning allows for creative problem solving and better risk assessment. Pre-construction is where the magic happens—it’s where we explore value engineering, sustainability strategies, lean construction methods, and cost controls.
One of the most effective ways to stay on schedule is a robust procurement strategy, especially since life sciences projects often require highly specialized equipment. By planning procurement early, we can mitigate potential supply chain delays. Ultimately, the goal is speed to market—delivering facilities that enable clients to get life-saving treatments to patients as quickly as possible.
Q4: How do modular construction and prefabrication support life sciences projects? Are there limitations?
Taveras: Modular construction and prefabrication are game changers. They allow us to build complex components—like clean rooms—off-site, which reduces safety risks and accelerates the overall timeline. Because these elements are built in controlled environments, quality control is often higher.
However, there are limitations. Prefabricated components must be designed with precision to ensure they integrate seamlessly with on-site infrastructure. Not all designs are suited for off-site construction, and availability of specialized vendors can be a constraint. Despite these challenges, when used strategically, prefabrication can significantly reduce project timelines and costs.
Q5: What are the biggest challenges facing life sciences construction today, and how can the industry overcome them?
Taveras: Skilled labor is a major concern. Life sciences projects require highly specialized expertise, and there’s growing competition for these resources—especially with mega-projects in regions like North Carolina, the Midwest, and the West Coast pulling from the same talent pool. Investing in training programs to expand the skilled workforce is essential.
Another ongoing challenge is supply chain volatility. Life sciences facilities often depend on unique, high-tech equipment that can have long lead times. A proactive procurement strategy can help navigate these disruptions. Lastly, cost management is a pressing issue. These projects are often billion-dollar investments, so controlling costs throughout the project lifecycle is crucial to long-term success.
Q6: Looking ahead, what trends will shape the future of life sciences construction?
Taveras: Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to play a transformative role. We’re already seeing biotech startups use AI to design molecules before they even reach the wet lab, accelerating the research process.
From a construction perspective, the demand for flexible, multi-modality spaces is growing. Facilities need to adapt quickly to shifts in research focus or production needs. Designing spaces that can be repurposed without major overhauls will become the norm. Sustainability will also remain front and center, as companies seek to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high performance.
Final Thoughts
Builders in the life sciences sector will face immense opportunities and complex challenges over the next few years. As Jennie mentioned, success in this space hinges on early collaboration, innovative strategies, and a deep understanding of regulatory demands. With continued advancements in technology and evolving industry needs, life sciences construction is set to remain a sector filled with creativity and growth.
Interested in learning more about life sciences construction? Reach out to Jennie here.
About Jennie Taveras
Jennie Taveras holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering from New York University. She’s spent her career working as an engineer and project manager for large pharmaceutical leaders. This depth of experience has armed her with a unique blend of insight into the owner’s perspective, understanding of the sector, and a record of building valued client relationships.