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The Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai is changing India鈥檚 veterinary healthcare landscape, spanning an impressive 9,846 sq m with a capacity to accommodate over 200 patients. Built at a cost of `800 million, the hospital focuses primarily on small companion animals such as dogs and cats and is India鈥檚 largest single-site multispecialty animal healthcare centre.鈥淭he facility is the first of its kind in the country and there were no benchmarks to meet or establish the key drivers of what should be part of this hospital,鈥� says Ravi Sarangan, Co-Founder and Director, Edifice. 鈥淢ultiple options were developed and presented to Mr. [Ratan] Tata personally, and his involvement and input in the projects were of great value. The design brief mandated that the facility was not to be a high-rise and efforts were taken to restrict the patient areas as close to the ground as possible for ease of evacuation in case of emergencies. Keen thought was given to every small detail, ranging from the planning of outpatient waiting areas to planning the location of the smallest enclosure for the patients.鈥漇tate-of-the-art emergency and critical careThe late Ratan Tata officially inaugurated the hospital in July 2024, sharing the launch with a simple message on the platform X 鈥� 鈥淲e are open鈥� 鈥� along with details of the hospital鈥檚 helpline numbers. Situated on land allocated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to Tata Trusts鈥� Advanced Veterinary Care Facility (ACVF) in Mahalaxmi, this hospital is designed to offer a wide array of services, including emergency and critical care, with 24x7 triage and treatment, inpatient and ICU units, isolation facilities, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries and a fully functional pharmacy.Challenges and solutionsOne of the key aspects of the design is its low-rise structure, with the building鈥檚 height restricted to under 30 m. 鈥淎 major challenge lay in careful planning and grouping and segregation of canine areas from feline areas as the innate nature of both species is starkly opposite,鈥� shares Sarangan. 鈥淭he enclosures have been planned to avoid or minimise visual contact between both to minimise nuisance for the caregiver also. The scale of the project was large considering it is an animal hospital. The construction had just begun when COVID-19 hit the world. The construction, coordination, site visits and everything were a challenge. Choosing materials that are pet-friendly and easy to maintain was also a huge challenge. After exploring a lot of materials, we settled on PU flooring for waiting areas and OPDs, and vinyl flooring in the sterile OT areas.鈥滷unctional designA key feature that enhances the hospital鈥檚 pet-friendly environment is the access to pet walking areas and open spaces, which play an important role in veterinary facilities. The central courtyard and the terrace on the third level have been thoughtfully designed to create walking areas for healthy and recovering pets. These zones are equipped with pet-friendly amenities such as paving areas,floor-mounted water spouts, dog waste stations and sand pits, ensuring that both pets and their owners have a comfortable and functional space for outdoor activities. Accessibility is also a primary focus, with the outpatient department, emergency services and isolation areas conveniently located on the ground floor for ease of access. Surgical, diagnostic and speciality care units are strategically placed throughout the facility.Sustainability at the coreSustainability is a cornerstone of the hospital鈥檚 design. The implementation of waste reduction strategies during construction was a key focus, alongside optimising natural light by strategically orienting the building and using solid fa莽ades without fenestrations in areas like the OT suite, MRI and CT rooms to minimise unnecessary heat gain. Eco-practices include the use of low-VOC paints and other locally sourced materials.Energy-efficiency has been prioritised through the installation of an advanced HVAC system, LED lighting and solar panels. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems are utilised to collect and reuse water for non-potable purposes. Biomedical waste generated onsite is carefully segregated and stored in a dedicated holding area before being collected by a third party for proper disposal and treatment.Notably, the building鈥檚 footprint has been designed to retain the existing natural greenery, preserving about 100 trees on the premises. This not only fosters a soothing environment but also enhances the quality of care extended to stray animals. In selecting materials for the construction, the firm prioritised environmentally conscious options that balanced cost, durability and long-term impact. The result is a facility that not only stands as a landmark in veterinary care but also sets new standards for sustainable architectural practices in institutional design. - Neha Yadav