sLAB
Instead of having a Research & Development department, we have created a dynamic Research & Development network that we can all step in and out of. We call this sLAB.
The underlying reason is that we strongly believe in a practice where research and development are for all. And we take seriously the fact that places for all life can only be created through interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and collaborations.
Through sLAB we ensure a tight bond between our research and our practice; we nurture a studio culture where sharing, continuous education, and employee-driven innovation are central qualities; and we ensure that our staff’s collective experience and knowledge are made accessible in our projects.
sLAB is part of our work culture
With sLAB, we’ve created a work culture with room for continuous learning and sharing across disciplines. On a practical level, we work towards that goal by letting it be a formalized part of our everyday:
We read, sense, and explore together. We let challenges change hands to ensure a cross-pollination of our projects. And we dive deep into specific topics, when relevant for a project. This can be everything from soil conditions and materials to new solutions for climate adaptation and how to make the sound of trickling water mitigate traffic noise in the best possible way.
sLAB is research
Through sLAB, we also initiate and engage in numerous research projects: From internal white papers and cross-office innovation projects to external collaborations with universities, NGOs, businesses, and intergovernmental agencies.
Explore our research and development
Cities are bad for us. Let's fix them
Cities can be inspiring places that bring out the best in us. But they’re often concrete jungles that make us ill and are still designed around the automobile. What if they were places in which you could thrive rather than simply survive? Another model is possible, writes Rasmus Astrup in the December 2024 issue of Monocle.
Storm surge protection in an age of uncertainty
Why Darkness Matters: Acknowledging the Rhythms of Nature
When did you last see a starry night sky? For city-dwellers, this experience may feel like a distant memory. Our extensive use of artificial light has turned ‘darkness’ into a diminishing phenomenon – not only affecting stargazers but also the health of humans, wildlife, and trees. As Pernille Bech-Larsen, lighting designer at SLA, will unfold, we have plenty of good reasons to let a little more darkness into our cities.
Interested in doing a R&D collaboration?
Head of sLAB, Alexandra Vindfeld Hansen, organizes the sLAB network and manages our research and development partnerships.
If you are interested in learning more, she will be happy to hear from you.
Contact us to know more
Alexandra Vindfeld Hansen
R&D Director, Partner, Landscape Architect MDL