The Green Curve Team Rescues a Veterinary Office

Ranch Heights Veterinary - Costa Mesa, CA

The client has hired a contractor/architectural firm for a “design as you build” process. Typically the key goal for the contractor is to rough out floor plan, lighting and electrical plan to expedite permit submittal. As a standard procedure banks will not process construction payments until a building permit is secured.

Before Floor Plan

The Green Curve Team - Rescue Plan

A side by side comparison shows the difference in the amount of interior detail on the Green Curve plan when compared to the contractor/architect plan.

Many consumers of design services do not realize that the 4 year archirtect curriculum in Architecture programs are designed to teach the big picture — building shells, structures, and site planning. Interior design programs are built around the human experience inside those shells: detailed floor planning, casework, lighting, codes, furnishings, and finishes. Where architects often have a single semester or elective focused on interiors, interior designers spend their entire curriculum mastering it.”

Why Early Interior Design Matters
Many contractors and architects express hesitation about bringing an interior designer into the early phases of a project. Their concerns often include potential delays, over-designed solutions, or working with inexperienced designers who focus mainly on finishes and furniture without ever progressing to detailed documentation.
However, an experienced and skilled design team can have the opposite effect: they expedite the process. The right team customizes the floor plan for efficiency, develops ceiling and lighting solutions that integrate seamlessly with the architecture, and prepares a detailed electrical/IT plan that moves quickly through permitting. While the permit is under review, the design team advances casework elevations and interior finishes so that, once permits are approved, the contractor can accelerate construction with minimal downtime.
The takeaway: interior design is not just about selecting paint and furniture. It is about integrating technical and aesthetic detail early so the project runs smoothly. That’s why it’s critical to check your design team’s references, portfolio, and reputation to ensure they have the depth of experience to carry a project from concept through construction.

Thinking about a veterinary or medical office build-out? Don’t settle for a generic plan. Our team specializes in floor plan optimization and detailed design strategies that save time, reduce change orders, and protect your investment. Let’s Chat about your project.”