Family center puts your practice on the cutting edge of team-centered design

By Mark R. Hafen, AIA

Soon-to-be-moms, nursing moms, and toddlers are a part of practice now more than ever. And as an ever-increasing number of female veterinarians seek employment, and eventually ownership, women's needs will influence facility design even more.

For example, for years practices have offered break rooms that include kitchenettes and lunch tables. Recently I've seen a couple more complete family centers that give moms and dads and their kids a place to relax between appointments and eat lunch or dinner together or for kids to stay during the day while their parents work.

Depending on the space available, you could use a suite or a simple room with a Dutch door to keep the kids inside. It might include a bathroom, a small storage closet, a kitchenette, a table and chairs, a sofa or recliner, lockers, toy chests and bookshelves, play pens, and a television and VCR. I recommend easy-to-clean wall and floor surfaces.

Ideally, you'd locate your family center away from the medical and animal intensive areas of the clinic. I'd try to position it adjacent to the partners' offices and where there's access to a secure outdoor space.

Board member Mark R. Hafen, AIA, is a principal of Gates Hafen Cochrane Architects in Boulder, Colo., a firm that designs veterinary practices.