Vet Hospital
SCOPE: NEW REFERRAL VET HOSPITAL
LOCATION: MADRID, SPAIN
TYPE: HOSPITAL
DURATION: 1 YEAR
SERVICES: FULL ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIORS
STATUS: STAGE 2
Jo Cowen Architects were approached by Unavets to prepare the concept design and specification for their first veterinary referral hospital. The hospital, situated in Madrid, Spain, will be located in an existing 1,600 sqm two-storey property with a mezzanine, to the North-East of the city centre.
The veterinary referral hospital has a wide scope of facilities including operating theatres, CT and MRI scanning, x-ray and ultrasound in addition to hydrotherapy. At first floor, spaces are provided for staff welfare and relaxation including a kitchen, dining area and break space in addition to changing rooms and washing facilities. A large conference room and laboratories are also provided at first floor. These will accommodate lectures and live surgical demonstrations to support and promote the most up-to-date methods of practice in the field of veterinary medicine and care.
On arrival, a brise-soleil frames a glazed reception to the front of the hospital, welcoming pets and their owners into separate dog and cat waiting areas and wards, at ground and first floor respectively. The separation alleviates stress and reduces anxiety for both pets and their owners.
Biophilia- the use of forms derived from nature- and the use of colour are powerful tools when designing spaces to promote health and wellbeing in an industry that demands focus and professionalism under conditions of high emotional engagement. With a considered application of finishes and durable materials suited to both animals and people, the vet hospital can be a place of comfort for concerned pet-owners, respite and motivation for hard-working staff, and calm for the four-legged patients.
Waiting room furniture has also been designed to make pets less nervous, by extending arm rests to create low-level partitions to reduce visibility and create moments of privacy at the animals’ eye-level.
