About the Author
Constructive Criticism columnist Paul Gladysz, AIA, NCARB, CSI, ICC, is the principal architect at BDA Architecture. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, firm specializes in the planning, design and construction of animal care facilities. Gladysz has over 35 years experience in design and managing animal care facility projects. He has been involved in more than 300 veterinary designs, including 20 award-winning projects. His areas of special interest include project delivery methods, including design/build and construction management; lighting; acoustical control and new construction materials and methods.
Written By This Author

Hospital Construction/Design
Assembly Required
Hiring the builder of your dream hospital isn’t as simple as selecting the lowest bidder or relying on a friend’s recommendation. Looking for a contractor with experience in animal care projects is a good first step.
Hospital Construction/Design
Squeaky Clean
Eliminating pathogens in the age of COVID-19 is more important than ever at veterinary hospitals. Regardless of whether you use ultraviolet light, double doors or elbow grease, attention to detail is what matters.
Hospital Construction/Design
Climate Change
HVAC systems do more than just adjust the ambient air temperature. They’re also crucial for controlling odors, humidity and the spread of pathogens.
Hospital Construction/Design
Design to Comply
Chemotherapy drugs and other hazardous medications require special handling and containment to protect hospital staff and patients from dangerous exposure. C-PEC? PPE? USP 800? You have a lot to learn.
Hospital Construction/Design
Be a Cut Above
Planning a top-notch veterinary surgery suite requires attention to detail. Only after you figure out what you truly need can you fine-tune the budget, complete the design and start construction.
Hospital Construction/Design
Sound Advice (and More)
When carving out space for veterinary alternative medicine treatments, your goal should be to create a calming atmosphere by reducing noise, odors and other distractions.
Hospital Construction/Design
Inside Information
A room dedicated to veterinary ultrasound or endoscopy — or both — requires thoughtful layout and certain fixtures to ensure efficiency.
Practice Ownership
Add bite to your dental business
A well-equipped and well-situated suite will help a hospital capitalize on the fast-growing service of oral care.
Hospital Construction/Design
Stay young at heart
Adjust your thinking and your hospital to appeal to millennials.
Hospital Construction/Design
The Highs and Lows of Hospital Heights
Single- and multistory buildings have their pros and cons. Do you know which veterinary hospital design is generally the best?
Hospital Construction/Design
Sustainable and resilient
Diffused sunlight brightens a north-facing veterinary clinic lobby. No direct sunshine means the room stays cooler.
Hospital Construction/Design
See the light
The smart use of natural illumination supports the health and happiness of patients, employees and clients. Artificial light has its place, too, but you should be selective.
Hospital Construction/Design
Made to order
A practice owner had a tough decision to make about her growing but cramped hospital: tear up the inside, knock down some walls or move.
Hospital Construction/Design
Make Your Move
Most projects fall into one of two types: tenant improvements to an existing building or new construction from the ground up.
Hospital Construction/Design
Divide and conquer
When it comes to your hospital, separate the species to the greatest extent possible on both the client and clinical sides.
Hospital Construction/Design
A Successful Building Project Starts With You
Dream defined, design completed. How do you find a builder? One word: research.
Hospital Construction/Design
Make Your Hospital a Comfort Zone
A clinic should be more than a place of healing. It also needs to exude a healthful feeling.
Hospital Construction/Design
The Bottom Line on Floors
Focusing solely on durability and price during a hospital remodel or construction could leave you on shaky ground.