Lab Design
Design solutions for advanced laboratory environments that balance scientific functionality, technology integration, office support spaces, and employee amenities for a more effective user experience.
Hixson delivers integrated engineering laboratory design services that align scientific workflows, building systems, safety requirements, and user experience in one coordinated solution. Backed by more than four decades of lab design experience and 20 in-house technical disciplines, the team helps organizations create high-performance laboratory environments that support research, compliance, and long-term operational efficiency.

Integrated laboratory planning, engineering, compliance, and facility strategy tailored to complex science and technology environments.
Design solutions for advanced laboratory environments that balance scientific functionality, technology integration, office support spaces, and employee amenities for a more effective user experience.
Long-range facility planning that helps organizations align laboratory growth, operational goals, future capacity, and phased investment decisions within a cohesive roadmap.
Environmental, health, and safety compliance support that helps laboratory projects address permitting requirements, risk reduction, and regulatory considerations during design.
Engineering coordination for the critical building systems that support laboratory performance, reliability, safety, and day-to-day operational efficiency.
Facility consulting services that help clients evaluate needs, define priorities, and make informed decisions before moving into detailed laboratory design.
Site evaluation support to identify locations that fit laboratory operations, infrastructure needs, growth plans, and broader business objectives.
Hixson designs laboratory environments that bring architecture, engineering, safety, and workflow planning together from the start. That integrated approach helps reduce coordination gaps, support compliance, and create spaces that work for researchers, technicians, and operations teams alike. Whether the goal is a new facility, renovation, or expansion, each solution is shaped around performance, flexibility, and long-term value.

See how integrated design expertise supports complex laboratory and science-focused facility projects.
Clients choose Hixson for coordinated expertise, long-term experience, and a practical approach to complex facility design.
Twenty in-house technical disciplines improve coordination, speed decisions, and reduce handoff risk across laboratory projects.
More than four decades of lab design experience support smarter planning for complex science environments.
Project management methodologies and performance tools help keep scope, quality, and execution aligned.
Hixson works as an extension of client teams to reduce risk and improve project outcomes.
Experienced leaders supporting complex design programs.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering
John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering
As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

Manager, Process Engineering
Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

Manager, Civil Engineering
In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services
Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

Manager, Mechanical Engineering
Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

Manager, Electrical Engineering
Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

Director of Architecture
Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.
Laboratory design is the planning and engineering of spaces used for research, testing, development, or technical operations. It includes layout, workflow, safety systems, utilities, ventilation, equipment coordination, storage, and support areas. A strong laboratory design balances scientific performance with compliance, flexibility, and user comfort so the facility can operate efficiently now and adapt as needs change.
Connect with our team to discuss your facility goals.
Hixson supports laboratory and engineering design projects for clients across North America from its Greater Cincinnati base.
North America
Service Area
Greater Cincinnati
Headquarters
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Interior Design magazine industry recognition.
Recognized across core industry sectors.
Share your project goals, facility challenges, or expansion plans, and Hixson's team will help you explore the right next steps.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.