BDA Architecture: Building Design for Animals

05/30/2026

Think about the last time you walked into a veterinary exam room. Was it cold, loud, and full of bright, buzzing fluorescent lights? Or did it feel warm, peaceful, and welcoming? 🐾

The details of an exam room matter immensely to the patients waiting inside them. In our final Mindful Design in Exam Rooms feature, we are sharing a few simple yet powerful architectural choices that completely change the exam room experience.

Swipe through to see these mindful design elements and how they can help a practice. How does your current clinic space measure up?

Let’s build a calmer environment together. Contact our design team at [email protected] or visit BDAarc.com/Contact to learn more!

05/28/2026

Is your vet practice bursting at the seams? 🐾

A cramped lobby, packed waiting rooms, and an overcrowded treatment area are incredible signs that your business is thriving—but they also mean your building is holding you back.

If you are ready for a change but have no idea where to start, you are not alone!

In our latest video, we break down the BDA Step-by-Step approach. We’re pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how we take your ultimate clinic wish list and map it into a fully realized building that fits both your aesthetic goals and your real-world budget.

Your dream clinic starts with a simple conversation. Watch the full video to see how we bring your vision to life! 🛠️🏥

👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/hdkAJSmXl8I

Your veterinary practice is growing, but your building isn't. When you’re dealing with a cramped lobby, a messy treatment room, and more clients arriving by ...

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the fallen—the brave heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. We honor their ultimate sacrifice and hold their families in our thoughts.

Please note that the BDA office will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of the holiday.

05/20/2026

🐾 Happy ! 🐾

A successful animal shelter design does more than just provide shelter—it builds a community hub that inspires adoptions, reduces animal stress, and sets pets up for a lifetime of love.

We are incredibly proud of our partnership with the Kershaw County Humane Society to bring the Thiel Meyer Pet Adoption Center in Camden, SC to life! From creative fundraising support to designing a high-efficiency layout that kept priority elements on a tight budget, BDA worked hand-in-hand with their team to build a brighter future.

From tempered-glass kennels that boost adoption rates to a low-stress, quiet zone for our feline friends, this 11,349-square-foot facility is proof of what happens when specialized architecture meets a passion for animal welfare. ❤️

👉 Head over to our website to read the full Project Spotlight and see how we designed this modern, welcoming space!

https://bdaarc.com/trending/article/thiel-meyer-pet-adoption-center

05/15/2026

A trip to the vet shouldn’t feel like a high-stress event. At BDA, we believe that Mindful Design starts with the details—specifically the furniture and features within the exam room.

From eliminating hiding spots under chairs to providing versatile surfaces for floor-based exams, every choice we make is intended to keep patients calm and connected to their owners.

Check out our latest infographic to see how we’re rethinking the clinical environment for better animal (and human!) experiences.

05/13/2026

From kennel worker to Partner and Director of Design! 🐾📐

We are so excited to share a BDA Partner Paw-file featuring Becky Gasser. Becky’s 16-year journey with BDA Architecture started with a senior thesis and a passion for the human-animal bond. Today, she leads our design team in creating world-class facilities where humans and animals coexist beautifully.

Read the full story of how Becky is shaping the future of animal care design:

https://bdaarc.com/trending/article/bda-partner-pawfile-becky-gasser

05/08/2026

Happy Fear Free Friday! 🐾

Throughout this month, BDA is diving deep into the impact of exam room design on animal wellbeing. To kick off our Fear Free Friday series, we’re talking about a fundamental element: Size.

In a Fear Free Pets clinic, we design exams with "breathing room" in mind. A space that’s too cramped can make a pet feel trapped, triggering that "fight-or-flight" response. By right-sizing our exam rooms—whether it's a cozy nook for a cat or a spacious suite for a big dog—we give patients the freedom to choose their comfort zone.

When a pet feels safe enough to be curious, the vet visit becomes a much happier experience for everyone! 🐕🐈

🗓️ Join us Fridays this month as we explore how specialized design creates better outcomes for pets and the people who care for them.

05/04/2026

The Force is strong at BDA today! 💫 It’s and we’re celebrating!

From the Millennium Falcon to our own "Jedi Master" Bonnie, we’re having a blast showing off our Star Wars gear. But don’t let the robes fool you—when it comes to animal care architecture, we don't just use the Force; we use expert architectural design.

Ready to design your future practice? This is the Way.

04/30/2026

🌟 We’re popping the confetti because the BDA Trending Newsletter is officially ONE YEAR OLD! 🎉

This week's issue (which is OUT NOW!) celebrates 12 months of bringing innovative design and architecture right to your inbox.

We want to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to all our regular readers. We are so grateful you join us each month as we explore how thoughtful design improves the lives of animals. We love sharing this journey with you and can't wait for another year of BDA Trending! 🐾

Ready to join the party? Read our special anniversary issue here: https://mailchi.mp/bdaarc.com/bda-architecture-is-trending-april-2026 (And don't forget to hit subscribe while you're there!)

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Today, we want to explore how BDA brings sustainability to our designs.

When we talk about "going green" at BDA, we aren’t just talking about solar panels. We’re talking about "Sensible Sustainability"—designing veterinary hospitals that are efficient, durable, and tough enough to act as a refuge for the community during extreme weather.

From lighting that supports the natural rhythms of patients and staff to air-quality systems that don't break the bank, we’re sharing how smart design choices today protect your practice tomorrow.

Check out our latest blog post to see how we’re building the future of veterinary medicine:

https://bdaarc.com/trending/article/sensible-sustainability