A discussion of some of the factors in conservation laboratory design as they have developed in Australian Archives. As a practical guide for small institutions setting up a practical conservation laboratory, the following features are described: site for the laboratory, doorways, lighting, safety shower and eyewash station, fume cabinet, offices, stores, photographic area, air conditioning, chemical disposal -- these must be built in at the time of workshop construction. Other factors and equipment that are described include: light table, deacidification trough, binding equipment, thymol cabinet, refrigerator, benches, library area, power points, acid sump, water supply, fire protection, escape. -- AATA