Designing Innovation Labs: Balancing Openness and Privacy

This very challenge lay at the core of our recent project for Scaler School of Technology—a reputed institution shaping the next generation of tech talent. The brief was as forward-thinking as the institution itself: create a multi-functional innovation lab that unites various tech labs under one roof while balancing transparency, aesthetics, and technical constraints—all without disturbing existing HVAC, electrical, and fire systems.

The Vision: Design That Aligns With Purpose

From the outset, the design intention was clear—form, function, and feel had to come together seamlessly. The space was envisioned not just as a school interior, but as a next-generation experience center. The lab would house specialized zones for AI/ML, Robotics, XR, and Drone technologies, all functioning simultaneously yet independently.

While these technologies are inherently different, the institution didn’t want hard barriers or isolating cubicles. Instead, they needed visual connectivity and a shared energy that sparks curiosity and innovation. But how do you create a unified environment while preserving the integrity of each lab?

This is where design played a pivotal role.

Glass: A Material That Defined the Space

We chose glass as the unifying material—a conscious choice that delivered both aesthetic presence and multi-functional value. But it wasn’t just about using glass for its transparency. The application was thoughtful, experimental, and highly customized.

• Curved and half-built glass panels were used to allow visual openness without making zones feel exposed.
  
  
• The panels were intentionally left open near the ceiling, ensuring smooth airflow and integration with the HVAC system.
  
  
• Custom MS (mild steel) brackets were fabricated to hold the glass structures in place, adding both strength and an industrial design element that aligned with the tech-forward environment.
  
  

The result was a space that flowed visually, yet allowed each lab to maintain its own rhythm. The glass didn’t just divide the space—it defined it, offering structure without disruption.

Designing for Multiple Realities

Creating a multi-functional space that supports diverse activities is no easy feat. Each lab required its own atmosphere and spatial behavior. For example, XR labs needed movement zones, Robotics needed structure and tool areas, while Drone labs demanded open flight-friendly layouts.

What made this project unique was how the spatial planning respected the nature of each function, while still feeling cohesive as a single experience. No element was designed in isolation. Instead, every corner and corridor echoed the broader narrative of innovation and fluidity.

We also ensured that no part of the existing infrastructure was compromised. The electrical grid, fire alarms, and HVAC ducts remained untouched, thanks to smart zoning and calculated gaps in the ceiling design. This saved time, cost, and disruption during execution, proving that good design also respects engineering.

Functionality Without Compromise

The design achieved multiple goals without sacrificing user comfort or spatial clarity. Here’s how:

• Transparency with privacy: The partial enclosures gave teams the space to focus, while still being part of a shared atmosphere.
  
  
• Visual impact with purpose: The glass and metal palette elevated the aesthetics without overwhelming the academic nature of the space.
  
  
• Flexibility across zones: Labs could expand or shrink as per curriculum demands, thanks to modular planning.
  
  
• System preservation: Fire sprinklers, air conditioning, and lighting systems were all retained in their original setup.
  
  

This project became a case study in how institutional architecture can evolve to match the speed of educational transformation. The innovation lab became a physical extension of Scaler’s ideology—open, dynamic, and collaborative.

A Future-Ready Experience Center

With this project, we moved beyond the traditional idea of school interiors. The lab is not just a place to conduct experiments; it's a space where students experience the future. Every design decision—from the material to the structural detailing—echoes that future-forward mindset.

And while it’s easy to be swayed by trends, the success of this space lies in its timeless logic: design that serves, inspires, and adapts.

At Rubenius, we believe that the best spaces are not the ones that dazzle momentarily but the ones that work intelligently, speak clearly, and feel natural to the people who use them.

Final Words

The Scaler Innovation Lab reflects the future of learning when design, technology, and purpose meet. For institutions ready to evolve from traditional classrooms into collaborative ecosystems, this project exemplifies how to balance openness with privacy, aesthetics with function, and vision with feasibility.