Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Field Services Expansion

The Field Services department of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a critical partner to livestock producers in central Iowa and beyond, providing emergency and non-emergency on-farm veterinary and lab testing services. The facility was in need of reconfiguration and expansion to provide a higher level of biosecurity, accommodate more teaching opportunities for students, and give residents and faculty more space to operate. Pathways and spaces in the existing building were adjusted and additions were strategically added to separate clean and dirty pathways for veterinarians and specimens, with special attention paid to storage, cold storage, fomite control, air pressure hierarchies, and back-up power. Visibility was an important consideration, as the building greets visitors when entering the Veterinary Medicine complex. Windows provide natural light for a healthy environment to learn and work, as well as provide visibility into the teaching labs for exposure of the department. The project nearly doubled the existing facility size. Construction was phased so critical services to area farms were not interrupted. Areas improved include housing trucks, decontamination areas, specimen receiving, facilitating specimen storage and pathways, clean and dirty labs, simulation labs, classrooms, offices, and support spaces for the facility.

Location:

Ames, Iowa

Project:

17,600 SF Addition & Renovation

Design Team:

Eric Vermeer