In Laval, Quebec, a former 1970s brutalist bank has been transformed by Ivy Studio into an exotic animal veterinary clinic known as Fauna. This vet clinic, situated near the Prairies River northwest of Montreal, offers a serene environment through minimalist design and soft lighting.
The clinic spans 380 square meters across two levels, housing public areas and treatment facilities on the ground floor. The reception area features 16-foot (4.9-meter) ceilings that flood the space with natural light.
Interior design builds on the bank’s original brutalist style, featuring an exposed concrete coffered ceiling painted in deep brown. This contrasts with the warm grey of textured plaster walls and concrete flooring. Consultation rooms are arranged in an offset row, each with a curved wall reaching towards the ceiling.
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Innovative Design Features of the Clinic
The consultation rooms offer privacy through curved walls and vertical partitions with detailed profiles, acting as sculptural focal points. Fluted glass doors provide entry, revealing walnut desks with chrome bases that echo the waiting room’s benches and reception counter.
The clinic’s design carefully considers lighting. Inside consultation rooms, diffused light boxes are used alongside natural light from the waiting area. “A soothing environment is paramount for a veterinary clinic,” noted Ivy Studio. “The lighting strategy in the public zones is soft, dimmed, and strictly indirect.”
In the treatment room and basement, the building’s concrete structure is visible, complemented by fluted concrete walls painted in a soft cream. The bank’s original vault now functions as a pharmacy and lab, illustrating the adaptive reuse of the space in this facility.
For another example of innovative reuse, Snøhetta’s transformation of a cardboard warehouse into a stylish hub is worth exploring.
Ivy Studio’s Broader Portfolio
Ivy Studio is recognized for a variety of hospitality projects across Canada, including restaurants that range from Japanese minimalism to vibrant, retro styles. Their portfolio also features a Parisian-inspired dry cleaners, a monochrome spinning studio, and offices set within another repurposed bank.
The photography capturing this unique transformation was taken by Alex Lesage.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What was the original function of the building in Laval?
The building was originally a 1970s brutalist bank before being transformed into an exotic animal veterinary clinic.
What design style does the Fauna clinic’s interior follow?
The clinic’s interior design builds on the bank’s original brutalist style, featuring an exposed concrete coffered ceiling painted in deep brown and textured plaster walls in warm grey.
How does Ivy Studio utilize lighting in the clinic?
The clinic’s design carefully considers lighting with diffused light boxes used inside consultation rooms and soft, dimmed, strictly indirect lighting in the public zones.