Aesop, Malin + Goetz and Kiehl’s have something in common, aside from being cult beauty brands: they all sell pet shampoo. It’s the continued success of similar products that explains the aesthetic of a residential veterinary clinic like Hôpital Vétérinaire du Parc, designed by T B A for MTLVET in Montreal.
The 20-30 euro shampoo formulas are a great example of how North American canine and feline parents – Millennials, in particular – have put the pet wellness industry at over 55 billion euros, up 22 per cent in the past five years. The companies’ animal offerings promise everything from anti-inflammation to lustrous fur, with the same recognisable branding that make their human lines so desirable for display in bathrooms of the self-care-savvy.
The interiors prove that championing psychologically comfortable design will be a huge motivator in creating spaces for pet wellness, too
But there’s an even more pertinent Homo sapiens parallel here: healthcare and wellness spaces are changing quite dramatically, designed to promote the erasure of patient-client anxiety. The intention behind the Hôpital Vétérinaire du Parc’s interiors proves that championing psychologically comfortable design will be a huge motivator in creating spaces for pet wellness, too. As the industry continues to grow, minimal palettes and raw surfaces will no longer be reserved for selling hyaluronic acid and calming face creams.
The Montreal clinic shows that pets can have nice things – stone foundations, concrete wainscoting and ceramic tiling on the lower walls are resistant to wear-and-tear from excitable patients. Custom Corian furniture and glazed partitions subvert traditional formalities in practice and ambiance, and a spacious reception allows for free movement. Milky polycarbonate ceiling panels hide mechanical lighting systems that emanate a relaxed glow.
So the next time you’re seeking a new clinic for Charlie or Coco, remember: there’s no need to be speciesist. Animals need to live their best anxiety-free, aesthetically inclined life too.
