INNES WILKIN Architecture is an award winning chartered RIBA practice in Bristol, working from Northern England to Sussex and to Cornwall. Many veterinary clinic and two veterinary hospital schemes have been completed. Their expertise includes qualifications in town planning and in listed building works, which includes residential, educational and commercial buildings.
DESIGNING A VETERINARY CLINIC - THE SURVIVAL GUIDE
Designing new veterinary premises or extending the one you already own can be daunting and an overwhelming experience. This article is aimed to guide you from the start to the finish of your project, and help you to avoid as many tricky situations as possible during the journey.
BUILDING A NEW FACILITY
Designing a brand new facility sends a message to clients that you are committed to the community and offers a new great flexibility of space. However there are various other issues that you must consider:
REMODELLING A HOSPITAL
If your current hospital is in an urban or suburban area it's often difficult and extremely expensive to buy land and so remodelling your current building may be the better option. Clients already know where you are situated and again it shows commitment to the community, it gives the opportunity to reenergise your practice and allows for technological improvements. However, you must consider various issues that could occur in the situation:
THE TEAM
Constructing a strong support team is one of the most important and initial decisions you should make. To achieve a successful build you must draw from other people's experiences and streamline the construction process as efficiently as possible in order to avoid any difficulties.
As the owner your responsibilities are:
The architect which you employ has the following responsibilities:
THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROGRAMME
During the entire process of the project you must set realistic expectations and keep the project on track, but most of all enjoy it.
The design and building programme is split into 3 stages; PREDESIGN, DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION.
NEW IDEAS
Before getting carried away with the architect during the design stage, it's important to keep a level head on what this building should express; should it feel clinical? Agricultural? Homely? To help make your practice/hospital differ from those nearby there are a few options that you may like to consider; changes that help the client become a bigger part of the hospital.
FOR MORE IDEAS ABOUT THIS WITH FURTHER HINTS AND TIPS, PLEASE SEE OUR NEXT INSTALLMENT IN 4 WEEKS !
DAVID INNES-WILKIN
http://www.inneswilkin.co.uk./index.php/projects/item/132-veterinary#.VL6diEesUW0