BSA Planning Principal Kay Townsend’s Expert Spotlights

Kay Townsend, BSA Principal and Senior Lab Planning Expert, shares insights into designing state-of-the-art research labs.

With 26 years in the lab design world, Kay Townsend appreciates the opportunity to be part of world of discovery. In this video spotlight, Kay shares what makes her role both dynamic and deeply rewarding.

Kay thrives on variety. Each day is different, and that’s what excites her about lab planning. Her days may vary from writing specifications, to collaborating with clients, or observing researchers and technicians in their lab environments. At the heart of her work is a passion for designing spaces that elevate the people who use them. She understands that the work done inside these labs demands focus, accuracy, and efficiency. The environments designed by BSA must support that, down to the last detail.

Watch as Kay gives us a glimpse into her day-to-day.

BSA’s Strengths in Lab Planning

So what makes BSA stand out in the discovery market? Kay breaks it down to a simple idea: we listen to people. Watch as Kay describes her client-focused approach.

Lab design is a unique field, and no one understands this better than BSA and Kay Townsend. Together, we know there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution in lab design. Instead, our approach is rooted in understanding the science that’s being studied and how best to support the people doing that work.

In this video, Kay breaks down the nuances of planning spaces for diverse areas of research. While lab types often share core elements—centrifuges, incubators, microscopes—the way those tools are used, and the materials being studied, vary widely. The key, as Kay explains, is knowing where the similarities end and where custom solutions begin.

Watch as Kay shares why understanding research workflows is critical to designing spaces that elevate scientific discovery.

On Being a Key Resource

When asked what it feels like to be a key resource to BSA, Kay focuses on mentorship rather than recognition or titles.

With decades of experience, Kay has become an invaluable partner to BSA’s studios across the country. Her passion lies in sharing knowledge, helping teams align around consistent design standards, and guiding others to think critically about lab planning. What once was a role held by just a few now has a growing network of professionals, and Kay finds fulfillment in knowing she’s played a part in that growth.

Her greatest compliment? Not an award or a title, but the moment someone assumed she had once worked in a lab herself. “No,” she replied, “I just listen and ask questions.”

From diving into the details of scientific workflows to mentoring across studios, Kay Townsend exemplifies what it means to lead with curiosity and purpose. And in lab design, that’s exactly what it takes.