Animal hospital construction demands a balance of clinical performance, durability, and a welcoming client experience. The new VCA veterinary clinic in Ottawa shows how digital component construction delivers on all three—while improving coordination and reducing risk.
Designed to go beyond a standard fit-up, the project brought together advanced veterinary care, a client-first experience, and complex technical requirements. Delivered by
Falkbuilt Ottawa in collaboration with IDEA Inc. and Westview Projects, early coordination shaped the outcome.
“Falkbuilt was involved in the design process right from the start of design development,” said Ryan Crowle, Principal at IDEA Inc. “That allowed our architects, engineers, and technologists to plan implementation during the design phase, leading to better coordination in the field and real schedule gains.”
It became a real-world example of problem-solving. Major base-building discoveries pushed the overall budget dramatically higher and forced last-minute scope decisions. As Martin Samson from Falkbuilt Ottawa explained, these discoveries significantly increased costs and put immediate pressure on the interior scope. Rather than defaulting to conventional construction, the team focused on protecting the spaces that mattered most.
The challenge: managing cost pressure in veterinary hospital construction
In many animal hospital construction projects, interiors are value-engineered back to conventional drywall when budgets tighten. The risk is losing the durability, consistency, and design intent that drive long-term performance. For the Ottawa hospital, the challenge was clear: adapt to new budget realities without compromising the overall experience or functionality of the space.
A turning point: aligning the team through real-world experience
To align expectations and explore solutions, Martin Samson and Lucas Zinn, Project Manager at Falkbuilt Ottawa, brought key stakeholders—including the architect, contractor, and client—to Calgary to experience Falkbuilt’s solutions firsthand. That visit shifted the team from a mindset of limitation to one of possibility.
Seeing the solutions in person gave stakeholders a clearer understanding of how digital component construction simplifies coordination—especially in environments with complex clinical and technical requirements.
A hybrid construction strategy that preserved design and performance
When scope adjustments became necessary, Lucas worked directly through the plans to determine where Falkbuilt solutions would deliver the most value.
“Falkbuilt has a wide library of details that are compatible with conventional construction,” said Ryan. “We were able to choose the right approach for each space, prioritizing flexibility and durability where it mattered most.”
This led to a carefully balanced hybrid strategy:
- Client-facing areas remained in Falkbuilt to preserve durability and design consistency
- Back-of-house spaces transitioned to conventional construction where appropriate
- Falkbuilt’s deck-to-deck framing was maintained across the project
In several areas, conventional finishes were detailed to align visually with Falkbuilt materials and segmentation, maintaining a cohesive environment across the clinic.
Early coordination made a fast pivot possible
Falkbuilt Ottawa was working alongside the design team well before construction began, with weekly coordination sessions. Revit families were integrated directly into the model, allowing the team to plan with precision and fully understand systems, constraints, and sequencing early on. Because that groundwork was already in place, the team was able to adapt quickly to scope changes without disrupting the schedule or compromising progress.
“We were involved almost a year before construction,” Lucas explained. “That early coordination was crucial, especially when scope had to pivot close to mobilization.”
Cleaner coordination in complex environments
The animal hospital required extensive deck-to-deck solid wall construction within a space dense with mechanical and electrical systems. Rather than reacting to conflicts in the field, the Falkbuilt team used sequencing and coordination to identify issues early, resulting in tighter penetrations, better alignment, and fewer last-minute compromises.
Veterinary environments demand more from every surface and system. Between constant cleaning, airborne hair, moisture, and high noise levels, materials need to perform without compromise—while still supporting a positive experience for clients and their pets. That’s where Falkbuilt’s approach delivers:
An on-site innovation that became a repeatable solution
Existing conditions—including columns and concrete walls—created challenges for typical wall assemblies. To address these constraints, Lucas collaborated with the Falkbuilt Product Development Team to develop a thin service approach known as the “Shadow Wall” solution. What began as a practical on-site solution has since influenced broader product development for future projects.
Reducing trade uncertainty with a detailed open-wall mock-up
Another challenge the team addressed was trade uncertainty when working with unfamiliar construction approaches. To reduce this, Lucas organized a detailed open-wall mock-up during the tender phase, giving trades full visibility into wall assemblies and integration points. The result was more accurate pricing, greater confidence, and smoother execution in the field.
The result: a high-performance animal hospital built for long-term value
Despite significant budget pressure and late-stage adjustments, the VCA Ottawa animal hospital delivers a high-performance environment with strong design consistency and clean execution. The project demonstrates what’s possible when early collaboration, digital coordination, and flexible construction strategies come together, protecting both performance and design intent, even under pressure. Through digital component construction and Echo technology, Falkbuilt is transforming interior construction from a disposable expenditure into a high-performing digital asset. These environments are not only built for today—they’re designed to adapt and perform over time.