Ivy Studio transforms brutalist bank into exotic animal clinic
Minimalist redesign creates soothing environment for stressed pets in Quebec
1Historic bank conversion
Ivy Studio repurposed a 1970s brutalist bank building in Laval, Quebec into Fauna veterinary clinic for exotic animals. The 380 sqm structure retains its original concrete coffered ceilings and waterfront location near Prairies River. The design preserves the building's institutional character while adapting it for medical use, creating a unique architectural dialogue between brutalist forms and compassionate care spaces. This adaptive reuse project demonstrates how historic architecture can serve contemporary functions.
2Calming interior strategy
The clinic features minimalist interiors with soft, indirect lighting specifically designed to reduce stress for exotic animal patients. Consultation rooms are offset with sweeping curved walls that provide privacy while serving as sculptural elements. Warm grey plaster walls contrast with deep brown painted concrete ceilings. The lighting design combines diffused light boxes in treatment areas with natural illumination in public spaces, achieving a consistently soothing atmosphere throughout the facility.
3Material palette
Ivy Studio maintained the building's brutalist materiality while introducing warm elements. Original concrete ceilings and fluted walls were preserved and painted in soft cream and brown tones. Walnut appears throughout in furniture and the reception counter, with chrome bases providing contemporary accents. Fluted glass doors separate spaces while maintaining visual connectivity. The material choices balance the building's raw concrete character with veterinary clinic requirements.
4Functional layout
The two-level clinic organizes spaces by function. Public areas and four consultation rooms occupy the ground floor, arranged in an offset row through the center. Each consultation room connects to the treatment area, with a spiral staircase leading to basement offices, storage and research space. The original bank vault was repurposed as a closed pharmacy and lab. The layout maximizes the building's 16-foot ceilings and natural light from existing windows.
5Architectural details
Signature design elements include vertical partitions with stepped profiles that create intimacy in consultation rooms while serving as focal points. Curved walls sweep up to meet the tall ceilings, echoing the building's exterior geometry. The walnut reception counter features a staggered motif that repeats throughout the space. These details blend brutalist architectural language with the softer requirements of animal healthcare environments.
6Specialized veterinary needs
The design specifically addresses challenges of exotic animal care. Unlike standard pets, exotic species require particularly calm environments to prevent stress-related health issues. The clinic's lighting avoids harsh direct sources, using dimmed indirect illumination instead. Spatial separation between consultation rooms reduces noise and visual disturbances. Materials were selected for durability against claws and beaks while maintaining aesthetic cohesion.
7Studio background
Ivy Studio is known for hospitality and commercial projects across Canada, including restaurants ranging from Japanese minimalism to retro glamour. Their portfolio includes a Parisian-inspired dry cleaners and offices in another converted bank. The Fauna clinic represents their approach to adaptive reuse, where historical architecture informs contemporary interior solutions. Their work frequently combines bold architectural statements with functional user-centered design.
8Adaptive reuse significance
This project demonstrates how challenging architectural styles like brutalism can be successfully adapted for sensitive uses. The clinic maintains the bank's imposing character while transforming it into a therapeutic environment. Such conversions preserve architectural heritage while meeting modern needs, reducing construction waste and maintaining urban fabric. The design shows how specialized medical facilities can inhabit unexpected spaces through thoughtful renovation.