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Building Design for Animals
LSU Stephenson Pet Clinic: Next-Gen Practice & Learning
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s state-of-the-art community practice offers primary care and integrative veterinary medicine on LSU’s campus.
Designing the Future of Veterinary Education and Care
In partnership with prime architect Tipton Associates, BDA Architecture proudly served as the specialized Animal Care Design Consultant for the Stephenson Pet Clinic (SPC) at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge. Completed in 2022, this 45,180 GSF new building annex was designed to replace the university's original, outdated veterinary medical facility, which had been in use since 1978.
The Challenge: The project required a highly strategic design that could seamlessly support two major missions: operating a modern, high-volume community veterinary practice while simultaneously functioning as a cutting-edge teaching facility to prepare the next generation of veterinarians.
BDA's Role: Specialized, Animal-Centric Design
As the dedicated veterinary design consultant for the interior clinical spaces, BDA brought its deep, specialized knowledge to ensure every aspect of the facility was optimized for animal health and staff efficiency. Our services included programming, conceptual design, schematic design, and construction document preparation for the clinical areas, as well as assistance with equipment planning and construction administration.
A Facility Built on Compassion:
The design centered on creating environments that balance clinical necessity with patient well-being. The first floor houses the community practice, featuring 15 exam rooms, treatment areas, and surgery suites. Crucially, the patient wards were designed with separate, stress-reducing feline and canine accommodations — a core tenet of BDA's design philosophy and Fear Free© design principles. The clinic's modern scope also includes dedicated spaces for specialized services like integrative veterinary medicine, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.
A Harmonious Balance: Form and Function
The second floor is dedicated entirely to administrative and academic excellence, featuring a clinical skills lab, surgery/flex lab, and mock exam rooms. This innovative integration ensures that LSU Vet Med students are exposed to real-world practice workflows, fulfilling the goal of creating "practice-ready veterinarians."
The Legacy and Impact
The Stephenson Pet Clinic was a multi-year effort delivered via the Design-Bid-Build method, with a final construction cost exceeding $11.2 million. The project was made possible by a combination of state funds and significant private donations, most notably from Emmet and Toni Stephenson, for whom the building is named. As Emmet Stephenson remarked, the facility is the "culmination of 10 years of planning and effort," reflecting a deep respect for the excellent care and groundbreaking research provided by LSU Vet Med.
By designing this integrated, modern space, BDA Architecture helped LSU Vet Med successfully transition into a facility that will truly be transformational for their programs, furthering their mission of improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education and compassionate care.
Watch the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Stephenson Pet Clinic Ribbon Cutting here.
