This photo from AAHA files shows how much veterinary hospital design has changed over the years. Photographed in the mid-1960s, this reception area features bare walls, uninviting seating, and poor lighting. “It’s pretty obvious how severe the environment is,” says veterinary architect Mark Hafen, AIA. “The whole idea that there’s a wall separating team members from clients is bizarre.”

More in this article:
Looking back
Maybe too glitzy
Inviting and professional
A living room look
Bringing the exterior indoors
Airy and spacious
Exposed beams and columns
Modern and urban