Commercial Interior Design
Adaptive Reuse Veterinary Hospital
Healing in Steel: An existing metal building in small-town Texas is reimagined as a light-filled veterinary hospital, designed to be functional, welcoming, and rooted in its rural surroundings. This project explored adaptive reuse, community, user experience, and sustainable design.
Year :
2020
Industry :
Commercial / Healthcare
Client :
University of North Texas
Location :
Taylor, Texas
Concept:
To adapt an existing metal building for use as a veterinary clinic while keeping sustainability and local community values in mind. By creating a functional and clean environment that reduces stress and anxiety, the space emphasizes the importance of animals in our lives and promotes an atmosphere that caters to not only the pet's physical, mental, and emotional well-being but to the owners and employees as well. The design strives to promote a harmonious balance between humans, animals, and their environment.
Challenges :
Existing conditions consisted of office, warehouse, and production spaces with a flow that generally moved from the main entrance into the production area.
The challenge was to create a flow path more conducive to a veterinary hospital while maintaining and reusing as many walls, doors, and windows as possible from the current space. It was important to keep in mind the integrity of the metal exterior when choosing additional features to add on as well as spacing of the interior framing.
Solutions :
The design emphasizes three focus areas within the hospital: client spaces, treatment spaces, and employee spaces. Material choices unify these spaces. Durable, easy-to-clean finishes support hygiene and longevity, while fear-free color palettes and natural textures help reduce anxiety and establish a professional yet comforting atmosphere.
CLIENT-FOCUSED: Clean and inviting, with a variety of comfortable seating options.
The reception area offers a welcoming and stress-reducing environment, while an outdoor porch eases transitions for clients and pets. The exam rooms are designed with dual entrances that allow staff and veterinarians to move efficiently while minimizing congestion for clients. Frosted glass adds privacy while maintaining a light-filled atmosphere.
TREATMENT-FOCUSED: Open, clean feeling with a functional flow.
The central treatment hub prioritizes efficiency, with circulation patterns that reduce stress for animals and streamline staff workflows.
EMPLOYEE-FOCUSED: Calm and efficient, with clear views and easy access to important hospital areas.
Finally, employee areas such as the break room and workstations are located in close proximity to treatment spaces, fostering collaboration while supporting staff well-being.
Summary :
The final design demonstrates how adaptive reuse can elevate an existing structure into a facility that is sustainable, efficient, and compassionate. By carefully addressing the needs of humans, animals, and the environment, the hospital becomes more than a place of treatment: it is a space that nurtures trust, comfort, and community connection.
This overview highlights key aspects of the Veterinary Hospital project. The full design process included extensive research, detailed FF&E selections, a set of construction documents, a detailed project poster, and more. I'd be happy to share more details or dive deeper into the process with you!
Contact me if you'd like to explore the full project.
More Projects - Coming Soon
Commercial Interior Design
Adaptive Reuse Veterinary Hospital
Healing in Steel: An existing metal building in small-town Texas is reimagined as a light-filled veterinary hospital, designed to be functional, welcoming, and rooted in its rural surroundings. This project explored adaptive reuse, community, user experience, and sustainable design.
Year :
2020
Industry :
Commercial / Healthcare
Client :
University of North Texas
Location :
Taylor, Texas
Concept:
To adapt an existing metal building for use as a veterinary clinic while keeping sustainability and local community values in mind. By creating a functional and clean environment that reduces stress and anxiety, the space emphasizes the importance of animals in our lives and promotes an atmosphere that caters to not only the pet's physical, mental, and emotional well-being but to the owners and employees as well. The design strives to promote a harmonious balance between humans, animals, and their environment.
Challenges :
Existing conditions consisted of office, warehouse, and production spaces with a flow that generally moved from the main entrance into the production area.
The challenge was to create a flow path more conducive to a veterinary hospital while maintaining and reusing as many walls, doors, and windows as possible from the current space. It was important to keep in mind the integrity of the metal exterior when choosing additional features to add on as well as spacing of the interior framing.
Solutions :
The design emphasizes three focus areas within the hospital: client spaces, treatment spaces, and employee spaces. Material choices unify these spaces. Durable, easy-to-clean finishes support hygiene and longevity, while fear-free color palettes and natural textures help reduce anxiety and establish a professional yet comforting atmosphere.
CLIENT-FOCUSED: Clean and inviting, with a variety of comfortable seating options.
The reception area offers a welcoming and stress-reducing environment, while an outdoor porch eases transitions for clients and pets. The exam rooms are designed with dual entrances that allow staff and veterinarians to move efficiently while minimizing congestion for clients. Frosted glass adds privacy while maintaining a light-filled atmosphere.
TREATMENT-FOCUSED: Open, clean feeling with a functional flow.
The central treatment hub prioritizes efficiency, with circulation patterns that reduce stress for animals and streamline staff workflows.
EMPLOYEE-FOCUSED: Calm and efficient, with clear views and easy access to important hospital areas.
Finally, employee areas such as the break room and workstations are located in close proximity to treatment spaces, fostering collaboration while supporting staff well-being.
Summary :
The final design demonstrates how adaptive reuse can elevate an existing structure into a facility that is sustainable, efficient, and compassionate. By carefully addressing the needs of humans, animals, and the environment, the hospital becomes more than a place of treatment: it is a space that nurtures trust, comfort, and community connection.
This overview highlights key aspects of the Veterinary Hospital project. The full design process included extensive research, detailed FF&E selections, a set of construction documents, a detailed project poster, and more. I'd be happy to share more details or dive deeper into the process with you!
Contact me if you'd like to explore the full project.
More Projects - Coming Soon
Commercial Interior Design
Adaptive Reuse Veterinary Hospital
Healing in Steel: An existing metal building in small-town Texas is reimagined as a light-filled veterinary hospital, designed to be functional, welcoming, and rooted in its rural surroundings. This project explored adaptive reuse, community, user experience, and sustainable design.
Year :
2020
Industry :
Commercial / Healthcare
Client :
University of North Texas
Location :
Taylor, Texas
Concept:
To adapt an existing metal building for use as a veterinary clinic while keeping sustainability and local community values in mind. By creating a functional and clean environment that reduces stress and anxiety, the space emphasizes the importance of animals in our lives and promotes an atmosphere that caters to not only the pet's physical, mental, and emotional well-being but to the owners and employees as well. The design strives to promote a harmonious balance between humans, animals, and their environment.
Challenges :
Existing conditions consisted of office, warehouse, and production spaces with a flow that generally moved from the main entrance into the production area.
The challenge was to create a flow path more conducive to a veterinary hospital while maintaining and reusing as many walls, doors, and windows as possible from the current space. It was important to keep in mind the integrity of the metal exterior when choosing additional features to add on as well as spacing of the interior framing.
Solutions :
The design emphasizes three focus areas within the hospital: client spaces, treatment spaces, and employee spaces. Material choices unify these spaces. Durable, easy-to-clean finishes support hygiene and longevity, while fear-free color palettes and natural textures help reduce anxiety and establish a professional yet comforting atmosphere.
CLIENT-FOCUSED: Clean and inviting, with a variety of comfortable seating options.
The reception area offers a welcoming and stress-reducing environment, while an outdoor porch eases transitions for clients and pets. The exam rooms are designed with dual entrances that allow staff and veterinarians to move efficiently while minimizing congestion for clients. Frosted glass adds privacy while maintaining a light-filled atmosphere.
TREATMENT-FOCUSED: Open, clean feeling with a functional flow.
The central treatment hub prioritizes efficiency, with circulation patterns that reduce stress for animals and streamline staff workflows.
EMPLOYEE-FOCUSED: Calm and efficient, with clear views and easy access to important hospital areas.
Finally, employee areas such as the break room and workstations are located in close proximity to treatment spaces, fostering collaboration while supporting staff well-being.
Summary :
The final design demonstrates how adaptive reuse can elevate an existing structure into a facility that is sustainable, efficient, and compassionate. By carefully addressing the needs of humans, animals, and the environment, the hospital becomes more than a place of treatment: it is a space that nurtures trust, comfort, and community connection.
This overview highlights key aspects of the Veterinary Hospital project. The full design process included extensive research, detailed FF&E selections, a set of construction documents, a detailed project poster, and more. I'd be happy to share more details or dive deeper into the process with you!
Contact me if you'd like to explore the full project.