Laboratory facilities are complex, technically sophisticated, and mechanically intensive structures that are expensive to build and maintain, and therefore the design, construction, and renovation of such facilities is a major challenge for all involved. Hundreds of decisions must be made before and during renovation or new construction. These decisions will determine how successfully the facility will function when completed and how successfully it can be maintained once put into service. This guide is addressed to the scientist-user and administrator, and therefore focuses on how to have a successful laboratory facility built rather than on the detailed specifications for a successfully constructed laboratory. In this context, a successful laboratory facility is defined as one that provides effective and flexible laboratories, is safe for laboratory workers, is compatible with the surrounding environment, has the support of the neighboring community and government agencies, and can be constructed in a cost-effective manner. This guide covers many basic aspects of design, renovation, and construction projects in general as well as specific laboratory-oriented issues.