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Building Design for Animals
Frisco Emergency Pet Care: Building with Empathy
In the world of veterinary medicine, where every minute can count, the design of an emergency hospital is paramount. It’s about more than just speed and efficiency—it’s about a deep commitment to compassion.
Completed in September 2023, Frisco Emergency Pet Care in Frisco, Texas is a 12,645-square-foot new build that showcases how intentional design can create a supportive environment for pets, their owners, and the staff who care for them.
This project was brought to life through a seamless design-build collaboration between BDA Architecture and our sister company, CMP, Inc. For the hospital's owners, this was a journey that began with an ambitious goal: to create a free-standing emergency hospital that integrated cutting-edge medical care with a uniquely human-centered approach.
Overcoming Challenges with a Collaborative Approach
The path to building this state-of-the-art facility was not without its hurdles. Challenges arose from the very beginning for the owners, including a year-long search for the right parcel of land and navigating complex city regulations. The construction process itself faced setbacks, from difficult rocky soil that damaged equipment to labor and material shortages in the wake of the pandemic.
However, the integrated design-build model proved to be the key to overcoming these obstacles. The BDA team worked closely with the owners to translate their detailed "want list" into a functional and beautiful design, while CMP, Inc.'s on-site superintendent deftly handled the day-to-day challenges, and used his experience to help get inspections done in a timely manner even with all the hurdles. This collaborative effort ensured that the project stayed on track and that the client's vision remained at the forefront throughout the entire process.
The Heart of the Hospital: Design for Well-Being
The facility's design reflects a clear dedication to the well-being of every occupant. In a rare and compassionate move, Frisco Emergency Pet Care employs a full-time social worker. The hospital's website states their reason simply: "Because it is the right thing to do." This role is central to the hospital's mission, offering support to clients making difficult decisions, following up after the loss of a pet, and providing a sounding board for the hospital team.
This empathy is evident in the physical spaces as well:
- Comfort Rooms with Private Exits: Three dedicated comfort rooms for euthanasia feature drop-down tables and comfortable couches, allowing clients to spend private, peaceful time with their pets. A private exit ensures grieving families do not have to re-enter the main lobby.
- An Indoor Dog Park: Over 1,000 square feet is dedicated to an innovative indoor relief area for dogs. Designed as a "park" with two patches of porous, turf-like grass and a curving sidewalk, this area is not just for relief but also a place for stress reduction and play.
- Specialized Wards: The hospital includes separate wards for canine and feline patients to minimize stress. Furthermore, a dedicated ward for staff pets and another for strays help prevent disease transmission and ensure every animal has a comfortable space.
Innovation for Uninterrupted Care
Beyond its compassionate features, the hospital is built with advanced technology and operational foresight. The facility is equipped with a large natural-gas generator that provides continuous power, a crucial feature in a region with a sometimes-unreliable power grid. A large liquid oxygen tank outside the building, equipped with a telemetry system, ensures a constant supply for the hospital's seven anesthesia machines and other critical care units without the need for manual tank exchanges.
The interior is a network of efficiency. The cloud-based management system and integrated monitors on the ICU floor allow staff to track patients and client visits in real time. Sound-insulated interior walls and glass partitions throughout the facility, including in the two state-of-the-art surgery suites, help control noise and maintain a sterile environment. A dedicated isolation suite with its own air handling system and relief area further ensures patient safety and prevents the spread of infectious diseases.
Frisco Emergency Pet Care is a powerful example of how purposeful design can go beyond meeting a need to fulfilling a mission. BDA Architecture and CMP, Inc. are honored to have partnered on this project, bringing to life a facility that not only provides exceptional emergency care but also elevates the standard for veterinary compassion and employee wellness.
Take a virtual walk-thru of this lovely facility on the Frisco Emergency Pet Care website.
