Ivy Studio turns brutalist Quebec bank into exotic animal clinic
Ivy Studio, located in Montreal, transformed a brutalist bank from the 1970s in Laval, Quebec, into Fauna, a veterinary clinic for exotic animals, which was completed in 2026. Spanning 380 square meters, the clinic maintains the original concrete structure while incorporating minimalist designs to alleviate stress for its patients. The ground floor houses public spaces and treatment areas, boasting 16-foot ceilings and ample natural light. Four consultation rooms feature curved walls and fluted glass doors, connecting to a treatment space with a spiral staircase leading to offices and storage in the basement. The former bank vault has been repurposed as a pharmacy and laboratory. The project involved Gabrielle Rousseau, David Kirouac, and others, with construction by Groupe Manovra and photography by Alex Lesage.
Key facts
- Ivy Studio transformed a 1970s brutalist bank in Laval, Quebec into Fauna, an exotic animal veterinary clinic.
- The clinic is located near the waterfront, just over the Prairies River northwest of Montreal.
- The building spans 380 square metres over two levels, with public areas and treatment facilities on the ground floor.
- Reception and waiting areas have 16-foot (4.9-metre) ceilings and maximize natural light.
- The original concrete coffered ceiling is painted deep brown, contrasting with concrete flooring and warm grey textured plaster walls.
- Four consultation rooms are arranged in an offset row, each with a curved wall sweeping to the ceiling.
- Fluted glass doors slide open to access consultation rooms, which feature walnut desks with chrome bases.
- The original bank vault is repurposed as a closed pharmacy and lab.
- Lighting in public zones is soft, dimmed, and strictly indirect to soothe stressed exotic animals.
- Ivy Studio is known for hospitality projects across Canada, including restaurants and offices in former banks.
Entities
Artists
- Gabrielle Rousseau
- David Kirouac
- Guillaume B Riel
- Philip Staszewski
- Vincent Maillé
- Sandra Zimmerman
- Alex Lesage
Institutions
- Ivy Studio
- Fauna
- Groupe Manovra
- Dezeen
Locations
- Canada
- Laval
- Quebec
- Montreal
- Prairies River
Sources
- Dezeen —