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Building Design for Animals
From Treadmills to Treatment Tables: Transforming a Gym into a Veterinary Sanctuary
Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates' new hospital, born from a gym and retail conversion, sets a new standard for veterinary care.
Established in Corvallis in 1997, Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates (OVRA) had grown significantly, serving over 25,000 clients and pets across the southern Willamette Valley. When they sought to expand their services and create a new state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, they entrusted BDA Architecture and our in-house construction partners CMP, Inc., with the ambitious task of converting a former gym and retail space into a 17,062 square foot veterinary sanctuary.
BDA and CMP's design-build approach was crucial in navigating the complexities of transforming the existing structure into a space capable of housing a wide range of specialized veterinary services. The challenge was substantial: to replace the gym's infrastructure with the intricate requirements of a modern veterinary medical facility, while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for pets and their owners.
This expansion wasn't just about more space; it was about providing an even higher level of specialized care and creating a facility that could house a wide range of advanced services while maintaining a comfortable and welcoming environment for both pets and their owners.
This hospital showcases the possibilities of adaptive reuse. Imagine replacing treadmills with treatment tables, and weight racks with surgery suites. This transformation resulted in a facility boasting 14 comfortably appointed exam rooms, each tailored to specific patient needs. The expansive treatment area features 11 workstations, complete with wet and dry treatment tables and rolling gurney stations, ensuring smooth and efficient patient care.
The hospital is equipped with 4 state-of-the-art surgery suites, alongside dedicated rooms for advanced specialty services like ultrasound, endoscopy, CT scans, and radioiodine (I-131) therapy. Chemotherapy, pharmacy, and laboratory services are also readily available, demonstrating OVRA's commitment to comprehensive care.
Recognizing the unique needs of different patients, the facility includes separate canine and feline wards, intensive care units (ICU), and an isolation areas. Staff areas are thoughtfully designed, featuring a large conference/training room, break room, and dedicated workstations throughout the medical areas, promoting collaboration and efficiency.
OVRA's commitment to holistic pet care is evident in the inclusion of specialized services like regenerative medicine, hydrotherapy, and physical rehabilitation, alongside dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncology. A dedicated dog training room further emphasizes their dedication to overall pet wellness.
For veterinary professionals considering expansion or renovation, OVRA's journey offers valuable insights and demonstrates that with creative vision and expert execution, even unconventional spaces can be transformed into cutting-edge facilities. By repurposing an existing structure, BDA and CMP have enabled OVRA to provide advanced veterinary care in a comfortable and supportive environment, proving that innovation and compassion can coexist in design.
