Before and after

The flat concrete slab roof and all-masonry exterior bearing walls were not Dr. Stanley Hastings' favorite characteristics of his old facility. When Dr. Hastings, owner of Union Pet Clinic in Union, Ky., first purchased the building, he learned that it had housed a telephone switching station. Ten years later, Dr. Hastings added to and altered the facility, doing away with what he says was an unimpressive look. With a new gabled roof, enlarged windows, and new exterior materials, the structure was successfully transformed and seamlessly integrated into the design of the new addition. Dr. Hastings wanted the architecture of the building to stand out in this fast-growing community. And he wanted it to reflect the heritage and history of the Bluegrass State, so he used natural materials like stone and wood shingles to help achieve this goal.

From telephone station to veterinary clinic: the old union pet clinic in union, ky., was once the home of a telephone switching station. dr. stanley hastings spent $50,000 at the time to convert the building into a veterinary facility and later purchased the house next door for an expansion. now, 10 years later, a new addition and a facelift seamlessly combine the old with the new.

Dr. Elizabeth Lauron spotted the 150-year-old chapel first. When her business partner, Dr. Gale Kerr, arrived to take a look, they knew they'd found a special space. The building was historic, was located on a great intersection, and had wide-open spaces to create an open floor plan for their new veterinary practice. Before long, they sealed the deal.

In with the old, in with the new: The site for Union Pet Clinic in Union, Ky., features new landscaping, and it accommodates the existing renovated space and an addition.

Surprisingly, the space that would become Concord Chapel Animal Hospital in Grove City, Ohio, required few modifications to become a veterinary facility. The floor needed to be leveled—but that was the only major repair the old church needed. Because there were no major surprises during the renovation, the construction process moved along on time and without a hitch.

Going to the chapel: Drs. Elizabeth Lauron and Gale Kerr, owners of Concord Chapel Animal Hospital, swooped in and purchased the historic building-much to the community's excitement-before developers could tear it down to build a coffee shop. The fact that they saved the building and transformed it into Concord Chapel Animal Hospital has left a strong impression on the community and clients are grateful.

Dr. Pierce White, the owner of Animal Care Hospital in Dyersburg, Tenn., added on to his existing facility and gave the 1980s-style facade a facelift to match the new addition. To make the process easier on his veterinary team and clients, Dr. White had his architect complete construction on the new facility so that it was operational before they started renovations on the previous building. Now the new addition houses all the veterinary services and the updated, preexisting portion of the facility houses retail, boarding, and grooming areas. A corridor connects the two buildings with a courtyard in the middle.

Historic charm preserved: The owners of Concord Chapel Animal Hospital in Grove City, Ohio, transformed a 150-year-old chapel into a veterinary clinic, all while keeping most of the stained glass windows, original pews, and the arched ceiling. To read more about the transformation, visit dvm360.com and search "People's Choice."

One building, two functions: Animal Care Hospital in Dyersburg, Tenn., was originally built in 1988. Dr. Pierce White remodeled and added on to the existing facility. Above, the entrance on the left services the main veterinary facility. The entrance on the right takes visitors to a retail area and boarding and grooming. The two buildings are connected with corridors so that they can be accessed from either side. Signage points visitors in the right direction.

Before you break ground on a new site, take a long look at what you've already got. Maybe the facade of your building needs a new look. Or you could expand onto that lot next door. And add a few new shrubs while you're at it ... what are you waiting for?

1980s style: In need of an updated look, Animal Care Hospital in Dyersburg,Tenn., got a facelift.

Making connections: Animal Care Hospital's site plan shows how the spaces merged together. Corridors and a courtyard connect the buildings.