Renovation of Wilbury Vets, Brighton and Hove 2021
Since 2018 we have been honoured to work with Anne, Peter, and the team at Wilbury Vets on the renovation of their Brighton and Hove practice. Wilbury Vets’ core values of customer and staff wellbeing indicated the need for a peaceful and welcoming space for all.
Already established in the local community as the only remaining independent vets, it was a delight to us that we were able to develop the original practice location instead of sourcing a new venue – refurbishing and extending upon the 120-year-old-building that has been home to the family business for 25 years, and understandably loved by the staff.
Anne and Peter’s vision for the practice included ideas that would future proof their workplace for the next decade, whilst also reducing stress and anxiety wherever possible for visitors and their pets. This included a double fronted reception with a homely feel, separate waiting rooms for cats and dogs, updated access ways to reduce traffic flow for staff, improved soundproofed wards, and a second state of the art operating theatre among other new and innovative spaces. Also, equally considerate of their team’s mental health, the finished project hosts a landscaped garden (which is used for dog rehabilitation and exercise too), outdoor yoga area, and various quiet spaces for staff to enjoy their breaks and reflect.
It was imperative to those at Wilbury that the redesign was not only an aesthetic triumph, but a conscious effort to reduce their impact on the environment and increase their sustainability; as such we implemented efficient heating and lighting systems, along with discrete recycling and waste segregation facilities.
The project at Wilbury was particularly unique, ongoing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We found ourselves at times in unchartered waters, having to increase our remote communication and be responsive as the clinic and the contractors both worked around lockdowns and restrictions.
Whilst it was a challenging period for all, the key to managing a successful build lay in the excellent communication between ourselves, Wilbury and the contractors at every stage.
Working locally where possible, the design of Wilbury is finished with personal touches such as local photography and bespoke craftwork, which nod to the sense of community and shared talents within Brighton.
The completed refurbishment is a true reflection of what Wilbury Vets stands for, stylishly encompassing their welcoming and personal presence in the area and standing out as a safe haven amongst the many clinical and commercial practices in Brighton and Hove.
Wilbury Vets won the Refurbishment category at the 2021 BVHA Design Awards.
