Designing for Science: Jon Howard on Real Estate, Labs & Innovation

Discover how lab design and science-focused real estate is transforming investing, with Jon Howard of HED sharing strategies, challenges, and insights.

In this episode of RealDealChat, Jack sits down with Jon Howard, architect and sector leader at HED, to explore the specialized world of designing for science-based tenants — from biopharma labs to advanced manufacturing facilities.

Jon shares his career journey, why science-focused real estate is a growing asset class, and how design decisions can make or break a property’s ability to attract tenants. Topics include:
• Why science and lab facilities are attracting more investors post-COVID
• The challenges of converting office space into lab-ready facilities
• What investors should know before targeting science tenants
• Case studies from national labs, pharma, and materials discovery projects
• How AI is being used in architectural design and operations
• The role of sustainability and net-zero goals in lab construction
• Biggest career lessons learned and advice for new investors entering this space

Whether you’re an investor curious about pivoting into lab real estate, or just fascinated by the intersection of architecture, science, and investing, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a booming niche market.

📌 Learn more about Jon’s work at HED.co

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Timestamps
00:00 – Intro to Jon Howard & HED
01:00 – Specializing in science & advanced manufacturing design
02:00 – Ground-up vs conversions in lab real estate
03:00 – What counts as “science tenants”
04:00 – Real-world case: chemical storage and zoning issues
06:00 – Amenities, location, and post-COVID tenant expectations
08:00 – Why investors are pivoting into science real estate
10:00 – Jon’s career path into science architecture
11:00 – Finding purpose in helping scientists solve big problems
13:00 – National lab & pharma projects: from tunnels to 150,000 sq ft facilities
16:00 – Pop culture labs: Marvel comparisons & real-life examples
17:00 – How HED is leveraging AI in architecture and design
20:00 – Sustainability, net-zero, and energy efficiency in labs
22:00 – Biggest career lesson: communicate early and often
25:00 – Advice for investors considering science tenants
26:00 – Rapid fire: common lies, early advice, book recommendations
29:00 – Time-saving strategies with AI in architecture

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