Mark R. Hafen, AIA

Is bigger always better? I don't think so. With size come building and maintenance expensesforever. Look at what you need in your new veterinary clinic, plan accordingly and get creative.

General vs. specialty, corporate vs. private, large vs. small-these hospitals represent two very different directions you could take when building your new practice.

A treasure trove of veterinary architecture wisdom is a click away.

I usually don't do spays or neuters on my own pets, so you shouldn't consider designing your own hospital. Here are more veterinary design don'ts.

Come along for the ride with me as I take things out of context, distort the facts and manipulate the verbiage to make your new veterinary hospital as successful as possible.

In order to push the envelope in veterinary hospital design, sometimes you have to be a little high maintenance.

Learn the pros and cons to boxy vs. L-shaped designs, and discover the best shape for your veterinary hospital.

Many veterinary hospitals will be too big or too small. Keep trying until you find the perfect fit.

Sometimes clarity hits you when you're not at work. Mark Hafen, AIA, came back from vacation with realizations that will help him design even better hospitals in the new year.

Consider these economic indicators when thinking about remodeling, expanding, or building a new veterinary practice.

Here's how to maximize your square footage and your dollars in a leasehold facility.

Statistical analysis across many industries shows the benefits of letting nature in.

Here's a look at how caging and caging needs have changed over the years.

Here are some examples of stellar veterinary facilities that built the most effective way.

No matter what stage of your career you're in, your veterinary facility should always be top of mind.

To "grok" means to fully understand something. Before you head into the process of building a new veterinary practice, grok it.

Here's a look back at the best of the best hospital design winners.

Designing veterinary facilities has taken me around the world-literally.

Fasten your seatbelt and hang on to your hat-we're going back in time to trace the evolution of our Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Award winners, courtesy of the Animal Arts archives.

Often veterinary architects struggle to balance form and function. It took a trip to the West Coast for me to realize we should go back to our roots and focus on designing what works.

Avoid a construction disaster by taking the proper precautions when laying flooring on top of your concrete slab.

Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at the trends in other industries. Here's how retail design can be applied to your building project.

Sometimes, a small, simple veterinary facility is more effective than a mega-hospital. Here's a look at how one practice owner made the most of his space.

If you're willing to try something new to bond with your clients and provide more personal service to your patients, concierge care could be the answer.

Are you and your team members spending too much time away from patients? Here are a few tips for building a more efficient facility.

Don't make another decision about your building project until you view this comprehensive video series. From the initial planning to the grand opening, veterinary architect Mark Hafen, AIA, has you covered.

Reception areas and exam rooms get all the glory in veterinary practice design, but the treatment area is the real key to caring for your patients. Here's how to design an efficient space for you and your team.

Bigger isn't always better. While American veterinary practices have grown in size over the last few decades, international hospitals have remained more modest. Here's how to take a cue from your overseas counterparts and make the most of a small space.

If you have the right accountant, you can use depreciation laws to your financial benefit.

It's the most-asked question in veterinary hospital design: "What kind of flooring should I use?" Here's a guide to outfitting the floors throughout your hospital.