Sustainable laboratory planning requires vision and dedication

Sustainable building practices require expertise, vision, and long-term dedication. With over 35 years of experience in laboratory planning, Stephan Borger-Anka is one of the leading experts in clean room and sustainable laboratory construction in the DACH region. After completing his studies in architecture, he began his career planning hospitals and laboratory buildings.  

This foundation paved the way for his specialization in laboratory technology and industrial buildings for pharmaceutical production and research. His broad skill set covers everything from design to project planning, optimizing workflows to quality management. Stephan Borger-Anka is known for his commitment to sustainable construction.  

Since 2018, he has held the position of Subject Matter Expert (Laboratory Planning) and Senior Specialist at Exyte. In his cross-functional role, he works with engineers, project managers, architects, and designers across disciplines.

The importance of idea sharing and common understandings

From hand-drawn plans to data-driven processes with digital models - Borger-Anka has witnessed the evolution of laboratory architecture. With each technological leap, planning becomes more efficient and precise. But rapid progress has a price: complexity!  

Technology does not only increase what is possible but also what needs to be coordinated. As tools become more advanced, so do the expectations and dependencies between stakeholders. 

"Miscommunication is one of the most common causes of planning errors," Borger-Anka emphasizes. "Many misunderstandings arise because there is no shared understanding." Therefore, especially in the concept phase, he prioritizes in-person meetings to foster the exchange of ideas and identify potential obstacles at an early stage. He believes that openness to different methods is a key success factor. 

Especially in sustainable building practices, it is essential to take an integrated approach. Future-proof solutions can only emerge when economic efficiency, environmental impact, and human well-being are considered. 

Knowledge transfer is the key to success

That is why Borger-Anka's professional perspective reaches beyond corporate boundaries. To develop sustainable solutions that include principles like circular building practices or water conservation, he considers cross-industry collaboration and knowledge sharing essential. Particularly in an era where resource efficiency is a shared responsibility for future generations, exchange becomes non-negotiable.

"If I want to truly fulfill the role of an expert in the long run, I need to look beyond my own field. Otherwise, my knowledge is limited to what I already know, rather than what the industry has already learned,” he says. As head of the working group at the Egnaton Association (European Association for Sustainable Laboratories), he actively promotes energy-efficient and adaptable laboratory buildings together with an expert network. With the Egnaton group, he is currently working on establishing a certification system that verifies reusable building components as equivalent to new ones, enabling their reintegration into the market. Borger-Anke then takes the learnings and knowledge and transfers it back into his work at Exyte.

Planning a sustainable lab or clean room facility?