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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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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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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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 25 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’s Happening at HERA

Project award: Logan University Fuhr Science Center

The Logan University Fuhr Science Center has been awarded as a 2025 Learning by Design Outstanding Project! The 47,100-sf renovation and addition adds state-of-the-art anatomy laboratories and dissection amphitheaters and accommodates programmatic shifts, pedagogical changes, a growing need for STEM space and new technology.Check out all the winners, or skip to page 112 for more […]

Project award: Cree LED R&D Headquarters

Cree LED’s new R&D headquarters at Park Point in Research Triangle Park has been honored with the 2025 Triangle Business Journal Space Award for Top Interior/Space Build-Out Project.HERA provided lab planning and design and equipment planning for this 90,000-square-foot facility, part of a larger adaptive-reuse redevelopment transforming Park Point into a hub for innovation. The […]

HERAstory: Natalie Szymanski is a student mentor

Q&A with Senior Laboratory Architect Natalie Szymanski You’ve been a mentor and teacher on so many different levels. Talk about some of the mentoring work you’re currently doing. Through the AIA Toledo, I know several architects that I either grew up with or reconnected with after college. Together we decided that there was a lack […]