Laboratories (synonyms: labs, science centers, research facilities; example toponyms: The Laboratory of Dr. Madhouse, Future Labs, University Science Center) are locations where science is conducted. In many fictional worlds, this means new technologies, advanced magics, or novel experiments. They may be sites of mad science. Laboratories may be home to mad scientists, artificers, escaped experiments, and disgruntled assistants.

When designing laboratories for your fictional world, consider what the boundaries of the known world are and what aspects of that boundary are being investigated. Laboratories may be researching the biological sciences, engineering, physics, chemical sciences, alchemy, or any number of other fields. If your world contains unique materials or unusual physics, or other world specific elements consider if those are being interrogated.

Laboratories are common in super hero worlds and worlds that feature mad science.