Griffith Veterinary Hospital
As a proud example of a small, innovative building the Griffith Veterinary Hospital illustrates how innovation and exacting design can deliver powerful architecture at a modest budget. As the first building of its kind for the City of Westland, this building utilizes CLT roof panels and glue laminated beams and columns instead of conventional roof trusses and conventional lumber. This choice was made early in the design process in order to expedite a fast-track project schedule, but more importantly to deliver spaces which are open, beautiful, and comfortable for the occupants.
Careful consideration was given towards the hospital’s energy efficiency, function, and biophilic design. From increased roof and wall insulation, thermally broken storefronts and windows, electric furnace configurations, operable windows for ventilation, exposed natural wood surfaces, and large ceiling fans for additional air circulation, the buildings performs far better with less need for heating and cooling.
Another large benefit to using CLT for the practice was the increased ceiling heights and exposed structure in the back of house areas. Surgery areas and treatment spaces avoid the use of drop ceiling tiles or drywall and instead have an exposed natural wood surface that feels less institutional and more natural.
Utilizing the carbon sequestration calculator provided by Woodworks.org, the project is estimated to sequester 106 metric tons of CO2 in the 4,448 cf of wood products used throughout, or the equivalent of 33 cars off the road for 1 year.
It’s estimated that the US and Canadian Forest grow this much wood (4,448 cf) in 21seconds.
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2024 / 4,865 sf new construction / YKK storefronts / Weathersheild windows
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Pytiak Design Build
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MAE
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Britt Peters & Associates
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Sharpe Engineering
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Zaremba & Company
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Element 5 Company
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Jason Keen
Project Notes