Earth’s steady temperature. During winter, the ground heats the water and a heat ex- changer releases the heat into the clinic. Dur- ing summer, the geothermal system removes heat from the house and replaces it with cool air. Mark has never regretted installing the technology and calls it “phenomenal”. While the Paradises and staff practiced in
the original Victorian home, the new facility was built around them. Once the new facil- ity was complete, the practice moved into it while the crew renovated the existing build- ing to match the new. Construction began in May 2010 and took just more than one year.
Proof Positive One year ago, the Paradises hosted an open
house, showing off their newly renovated and expanded 6,245-square-foot facility to the clients that helped financially make it happen. More than 1,200 people attended the event to see how a long-standing house in their town had been improved upon. “Mark invited me to stand beside him as
people came in. Many of them were patients who knew the original building, and their response was very favorable,” Lyons says. “You always feel good when people say they like something you designed. In this par- ticular case, I also got the benefit of doing some good. I love animals. My difficulty is not bringing home a pet every time I design a hospital.” The Paradises, too, are thrilled with their new space, which allows them to provide the best possible care for the pets of a community they have embraced. “Ed did a beautiful job blending the old with the new; it’s hard to tell the difference,” Mark says. “And the builder did a beautiful job. The woodwork and little details that people take for granted you don’t find in construction anymore. They really matched what was here. This building is just beautiful and a testament to our business philosophy.”
Listen to Paul McVay of Provi- dence, R.I.-based Bowerman
Associates and NorthPaws Veterinary Center’s site supervisor, share tips about how to renovate around an operating business. The podcast is available at www.retrofitmagazine.com.