The Future of Life Sciences in Cincinnati: Designing for Innovation and Talent

Setting the Stage

BHDP Architecture recently participated in the CREW Greater Cincinnati October Program, “The Future of Life Sciences in Cincinnati”. The event featured a panel of industry leaders including Daniel Lessing, Client Leader at BHDP, Sonny Wagner (Skanska), Sarah Johnson (Medpace), and Natalie Monroe (Ohio Life Sciences).

The conversation focused on how our region can strengthen its position as a life sciences hub—balancing facility design, infrastructure investment, and workforce development to support an industry that has already grown more than 50 percent since 2019.

A Region on the Rise

Cincinnati’s life sciences growth is being accelerated by the Ohio Discovery Corridor, which connects the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland Innovation Districts to create a statewide ecosystem of research, funding, and talent.

At the local level, the Innovation Corridor in Uptown—anchored by the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and UC Health—is helping transform how discovery, education, and economic development intersect. The corridor is already attracting national attention as a model for collaborative life sciences investment, linking world-class research with commercial opportunity.
 

Key Discussion Themes

1. Designing for Science and People

At BHDP, we believe the spaces that support science must first support people. Successful life sciences facilities combine technical precision with an environment that fosters innovation and well-being. During the panel, Daniel shared that we need to create spaces that attract and retain talent—environments that are flexible, inspiring, and designed for collaboration. Thoughtful daylighting, visibility between teams, and intuitive circulation can all reinforce a culture of discovery and belonging.

2. Flexibility as a Strategic Asset

Life sciences organizations evolve rapidly. From early-stage biotech startups to established research and manufacturing firms, adaptability is critical. Modular utilities, reconfigurable lab zones, and shell-ready spaces allow developers and operators to respond quickly to market shifts, turning flexibility into a long-term competitive advantage.

3. Partnerships that Power Growth

Cincinnati’s strength lies in its research ecosystem. Institutions such as Cincinnati Children’s, Medpace, and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services provide a foundation of innovation that few regions in the country can match. Their collaboration with the University of Cincinnati and the 1819 Innovation Hub creates a talent pipeline and research platform that already gives our region a leg up nationally.

These partnerships, between academia, healthcare, private industry, and design professionals, are essential to scaling up Cincinnati’s life-sciences footprint and ensuring that discoveries made here are developed and manufactured here.

4. Talent as the New Competitive Edge

Across the discussion, one point stood out: people are the differentiators. The next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians is drawn to workplaces that reflect their values—sustainability, flexibility, and wellness. Designing labs and workplaces that express these priorities helps companies attract and retain top talent while reinforcing Cincinnati’s image as a destination for innovation.

Looking Ahead

Cincinnati’s growing life sciences sector represents far more than a construction trend—it’s an opportunity to define how the Midwest supports discovery and innovation.

By linking technical rigor, architectural design, and human-centered thinking, BHDP can create spaces that inspire breakthrough science while strengthening our regional economy. As the Ohio Discovery Corridor continues to connect ideas, institutions, and investment, the challenge before us is clear: build places that inspire people to do their best work.

If you're interested in learning how BHDP can help optimize your environment for efficiency, well-being, and long-term ROI, contact us or fill out the form below to connect with our Industrial team.