Hospital Design360 Competition winner: Inside ARISE Veterinary Center

ARISE exterior. (Images courtesy of ARISE Veterinary Center)

Arizona Regional Intensive Care, Specialty & Emergency (ARISE) Veterinary Center’s journey as a 33,000-sq-ft hospital originated from the need for more advanced specialty and emergency services for the Maricopa County, Arizona community. The $17 million, 2-story facility is the only Level I Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society–accredited hospital in Arizona. The building, now the Hospital Design360 Competition winner in the 8000+ sq ft category, boasts more than 30 examination rooms as well as “comfort examination rooms” designed for compassionate end-of-life care.

“Key goals with the hospital design [were] creating a specialty hospital within a limited footprint...therefore using a 2-floor design,” Brandi Mattison, DVM, DACVECC, critical care specialist at the hospital, told dvm360. “The population in Queen Creek, where ARISE is located, is one of the fastest growing towns in the country, so ability to expand as veterinary care demand increases was an important consideration.”

An energy-efficient design

Arizona’s intense sunlight was another key design factor. To achieve a sustainable design that also maximized natural light, the design team incorporated large roof overhangs that shade the building’s primary windows throughout most of the day and year. These overhangs also created sheltered outdoor areas, including second-floor balconies. At the edge of the balconies stands a tall, glazed wall that protects patients and clients while offering striking views of mountains to the south. These balconies are one Mattison’s favorite design features.

“The design features I’m most proud of are the many large windows, multiple balconies, and vaulted reception area taking advantage of the beautiful Arizona...scenery,” she said. “This natural light lends itself to staff and clients experiencing a bright and inviting space.”

Another component of ARISE’s energy-efficient design is its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. According to Melissa Burns, director of hospital operations, this system reduces energy use by moving air from clean spaces into “dirty” areas it has exhausted, easing the air exchange burden. The building is also divided into 38 thermal zones to improve comfort and cut energy waste. Special cooling areas use small, ductless cooling units, decreasing the size of the main air-handling units. The HVAC system also has energy recovery ventilation that preconditions air coming and a high-performance thermal building envelope that further lowers HVAC strain.

Dog walking patio.

The critical care space

In the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), canine patients have direct access to a dedicated walking patio equipped with artificial turf, washdown capabilities, and sunshades. This ICU dog patio allows patients to relieve themselves comfortably without needing to be moved far from their care area. Additionally, the critical care space has a fishbowl that gives veterinarians visual access into the patient care area and isolation zones.

Smaller treatment rooms reduce noise and help calm patients

“Noise reduction is one of the most important features of this hospital,” Burns noted, explaining that every specialized service is carried out in a dedicated space. “Each area has its own adjacent animal housing, charting, etc. By creating smaller rooms for treatment as opposed to a large, open design, the patients remain quieter...calmer and more connected to their care teams, which also increases their safety.”

Apart from compartmentalized treatment areas, the design team devised a sound control wall system diagram that isolates noise from zone to zone. Moreover, the facility’s highly absorbent ceilings help reduce reverberation while sound lids further isolate noise.

Additional features

Mattison describes the hospital as having a “bright, clean, and inviting” environment—features that she notes makes ARISE stand out from other facilities. “We utilized many plants and light to create a modern but “homey” and welcoming space,” she said.

Other features Mattison noted are a large conference room that doubles as a wet laboratory for teaching; a pneumatic tube system that transports specimens, medications, or supplies between floors; a central pharmacy with a walk-up window; and electric car charging stations.

On winning the Hospital Design360 award, Mattison shared, “It’s a great honor to be considered for this award, let alone to win it! For the team, it increases our pride in working at a hospital with cutting-edge equipment and design and sharing it with visiting veterinary students, as the hospital has a large teaching focus.”