RESEARCH IN ARCHITECTURE

B.K.P.S COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

NIDHI KRISHNASWAMY
FOURTH YEAR
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPACES IN A VETERINARY SET-UP
RELEVANCE:
The basic priority of designing functional and easy to maintain spaces in a veterinary
hospital is often overlooked by designers. Hence, it is very important to understand
and study the design principles as well as the functions of spaces which lead to better
spaces in a veterinary hospital.
AIM:
To study the design considerations and functional aspects for spaces in a veterinary
set-up.
OBJECTIVES:
To study the following points:
1. DESIGN PRINCIPLES which include colour, light, scale and acoustics.
2. FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS which include sizes, materials, surface treatments and
maintenance.
METHODOLOGY:
To achieve the objectives of this research, the following activities will be carried out:
1. Reviewing the literature to study about the design principles
2. Case studies to analyze the literature
3. Interviewing veterinarians.
REQUIREMENTS OF A VETERINARY SET-UP BASED ON REVIEWED LITERATURE AND
INPUTS FROM VETERINARY DOCTORS

SEPARATE LOBBIES FOR DOGS AND CATS:

Separating pets by species is required to reduce fear and anxiety in indoor lobbies. The lobby
desk may span the divider between the dog and cat lobbies in order to allow the hospital to
share reception staff.

NON-SLIP FLOORING:
Non-slip flooring is defined as flooring that provides a coefficient of friction (COF) of at least
0.60 when wet. In addition to achieving this standard, the floor must not have a high gloss or
polished surface, as this may create the psychological impression that the floor is slippery.
The following flooring surfaces qualify:
• Safety sheet vinyl floors:
• Safety vinyl tile.
• Rubber tile and sheet flooring.
• Resinous flooring.
• Continuous cove or flash cove base is
recommended to avoid seams, which can
Collect bacteria and dust.
LIGHTING:
• Dimmable Lighting in Wards and Exam
Rooms
• Use LED lighting instead of fluorescent
lighting when possible because of its
superior spectral distribution. • Always
select high CRI bulbs of 90CRI or greater for
either fluorescent or LED lighting
COLOUR:
• Avoidance of manmade materials that produce
fluorescence, including some bright white plastics, some
clear plastics, and white paper.
• Preference of color selection in the spectrum that
animals can see best.
• Choosing lighter colors to allow animals to leverage
their superior night vision to comprehend the
surroundings.
ACOUSTICAL CONTROL:
•Sound enclosures around exam room: Two layers of glass
separated by a 2’’ air space should be used.
•Free hanging sound baffles
•Min. NRC of 0.65 for ceiling materials
•The surgical areas need clean-room ceilings using
specialized ceiling tiles with sealed edges and back
coatings.
EXAMINATION TABLES HOUSING
• Wards should be designed so that animals
do not face each other.
• Balance between visual isolation and visual
connection
• Clear view out of the enclosure at the
ANIMAL’S eye level
• Isolation panels between runs
• Non reflective surfaces in cages

Examination table designed by Ar. Heather

Lewis

WALL FINISHES
• Washable latex semigloss enamel
paint.
• Epoxy paint
• Ceraic tile dado
• Vinyl wall covering
 CASE 1: PET COVER CLINIC, PAUD ROAD, PUNE
INPUTS BY DR.VINAY GORHE
WAITING:

•Retail shop combined with waiting

•Area of waiting
•Low light
•High noise level

O.P.D: OPERATION THEATRE:

•Hydraulic table 1360x620 height 320-1020 •Shadowless lamps

rubber mat finish •Stainless steel table 1360x620x800
•Weighing table - low height •Vitrified tile flooring
•High noise levels •Adequate natural light
 CAGES AND HOUSING

•Low levels of light

•Open drains
(olfactory element)
•Tiled flooring
(joints)
•Placement of the
cages

Positives: Negatives:
1. Equipment used. 1. Circulation pattern
2. Well segregated spaces 2. Low light levels and high sound
3. Well maintained spaces 3. Flooring used is not easy to clean
4. Overall colour scheme 4. Housing of the animals requires open
space
5. Shops combined with waiting
6. Entry to the clinic
 CASE 2: RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST, MULSHI, PUNE
INPUTS BY DR. INDRAKSHI BANERJEE
TREATMENT ROOM

•Stainless steel tables of

size 1250x600x800
•Tiled flooring
•No natural light

OPERATION THEATRE:
• No natural light
• Lack of ventilation leading to foul
smell
• Stainless steel table with slope
towards the centre for drainage
CAGES FOR
HOUSING:
•Marble
separators
between cages
•Location of
drains
•Visual barriers
LARGE ANIMALS TREATMENT AND HOUSING ISOLATION AREA FOR DOGS
WITH SKIN DISEASES

•Treatment done
outdoor under a
shed or in the
travis
•Portable x ray
machine
•Different spaces
for different •Linkage to outdoor play areas
animals. Visually
no connection
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS

POSITIVES:
1. Segregation of spaces in terms of types of animals as well as age and level of
observation required.
2. Covered Drains provided at required locations.
3. Linkage to open spaces.
4. Visual barriers in between cages

NEGATIVES:
1. Lack of light in the treatment areas
2. No covered area for large animal treatment and operation.
3. Tiles used for flooring. Hence joints cannot be sterilized easily. Areas need to
be cleaned twice a day at least.
CASE 3: GOVT. VETERINARY HOSPITAL, AUNDH, PUNE
INPUTS BY DR.THEURKAR
WAITING AREA:
•There is a separate waiting room, however not in use due to difficulty in maintenance.
•The outdoor area serves as both the waiting as well as the treatment area (opd)

X RAY ROOM:
•Direct access for large animals from outside using a ramp

OPERATION THEATRE:
•Shadowless lamps used
•No OT for large animals
•No adequate ventilation. Difficulty in sterilizing tiled flooring

POSITIVE ASPECTS:
1. Direct access to the treatment areas. Hence, no need to enter the building in case of
minor problems.
2. Access to X-ray room
3. Ramps provided at entry.

NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
1. Lack of light and ventilation.
2. Paved flooring
3. No efficient drainage system.
4. No space for large animals after treatment
5. Circulation pattern and corridor widths
INFERENCES:
Based on inputs from the veterinary doctors, reviewed literature and case studies the
following inferences can be drawn:
1. Flooring should be jointless for ease in cleaning like vinyl floors, rubber sheet
flooring
2. Adequate light and ventilation must be present especially in the waiting and
treatment areas
3. Tables with adjustable heights are more preferred
4. In cages and kennels, there should not be visual connection with the other animals
5. Linkages with the outdoors
6. Colours used must be light ( based on the visual spectrum)
7. X ray room should preferably have rubber non slip flooring
8. Drains should be covered
9. In case of artificial lighting, LED lights are preferred over incandescent lights as they
produce superior spectral distribution.