Academic

Our broad experience in STEM buildings and teaching and research laboratories is nearly unparalleled. We create learning environments that foster curiosity, experimentation and exploration.

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Clinical

In the every-changing world of healthcare, clinical laboratories play a central role in patient care. HERA understands that quality specimen processing and efficient flow take center stage in your lab operation. We design spaces that adapt to the people, process and technology at the heart of your work.

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R&D

HERA understands key science issues for corporate clients: Safety first; recruitment and retention of staff through smart design; cost efficiency and flexibility for capital expenditures; and planning for future growth.

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Forensic

HERA’s forensic arm – Crime Lab Design – is recognized around the world as the industry leader in forensic laboratory programming, architecture and MEP design. Together with Harley Ellis Devereaux, CLD has provided integrated services for more than 20 years.

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Government

HERA understands how to navigate procurement rules, annual budgetary cycles and design approval processes for government projects. We have the experience to assist contracting officers in completing successful laboratory facility projects including research, testing, clinical, vivarium and support spaces.

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About HERA laboratory planners

We love science. At HERA, we enhance scientific discovery and client productivity through the creation of optimal laboratory environments. That’s our mission.

As architects who are also lab planners and designers, we have a deep understanding of trends, issues and best practices that shape laboratory environments. We bring that knowledge and commitment to every project we touch.

What does that mean for our clients and partner firms? Together, we will innovate and explore ideas to ensure all your project needs are met.

With five primary markets – academic, clinical, forensic, government and R&D – our combined experience from hundreds of projects totals more than 22 million square feet in laboratory space alone. Our depth of experience allows us to examine new ideas in laboratory planning and design, while evaluating them against our previous experience for best practices.

Founded in 1996, we are a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB).

What do our partners say about us?

“Always our go-to for lab planning!”
– Eric Zabilka, Principal Architect at Omni Architects

“Strong communication, elevated design sensibilities, collaborative teams.”
– Bill Deegan, Senior Designer at KCBA

“HERA provides reliable expertise in a niche market with a collaborative approach.”
– Mark Levine, Vice President at LS3P

What’s Happening at HERA

Expanding the definition of inclusive laboratory design

In our continued quest to provide our clients cutting-edge thinking and ideas about lab planning, HERA is expanding how we identify inclusive design. Lab Planner Rachel Updegrove, WELL AP, and Senior Lab Planner Jeff Owens, MPH, CSP, SM (NRCM), CBSP, Assoc. AIA are pushing the typical parameters to ask deeper and more meaningful questions of […]

HERA promotions

HERA laboratory planners is pleased to announce the elevation of two of our experts — Associate Cecilia Kadane (left) to Chief Financial Officer and Senior Lab Architect Rainey Hufstetler, AIA, LEED AP, (right) to Associate. Cecilia has a long, dedicated history with HERA. For the past 10 years, Cecilia has been responsible for HERA’s financial […]

Mentoring future architects

For the fifth straight year, HERA participated in the Rockwood School District’s Partners in Education Project Interface program, which pairs students with business professionals in the student’s area of interest. The professionals mentor the rising seniors for seven weeks to help give the students a sense of the industry. Because of the ongoing pandemic, the […]