Michigan State University – Veterinary Teaching Hospital Critical Care Unit

The challenge in this project was to renovate a 1960s era building with outdated infrastructure, occupied 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by staff and medically fragile animals. Veterinary medical care and technology had changed significantly since the ’60s, so the space needed to be updated to accommodate current use. Using floor plans and Sketch-Up models, twelve schemes were explored.

The suite, as constructed, now includes a large, open treatment space with a central staff station with seating for six. Two large roof monitors and north facing windows provide natural daylight while limiting heat gain. Five new exterior windows provide additional daylight, and the large dog kennels adjacent include glass doors and transoms to allow that light to filter into the interior. Docking space is provided in the main treatment room, quiet room, and isolation room for large custom stainless steel mobile cage units, with continuous bands of power, data, and med gas outlets, as well as storage cabinets above. Fifteen flexible treatment areas are placed throughout the suite, each with equipment rails, med gas, power, and data outlets. The isolation suite includes an ante room, treatment room, and kennel. All doors, frames, and cabinets are stainless steel, and additional interior windows between the staff station and each private space maintain visual contact. Large auto operated double sliding glass doors with transoms above provide access to the unit and the quiet room. The flooring is a methyl methacrylate product with integral base and custom applied slip resistance. A dedicated rooftop air handling unit was installed to ensure comfortable temperatures and humidity levels.

Size: 2,740 sq ft

Year: 2015