A new veterinary hospital has opened its doors in Tirana, Albania. Designed by Swiss firm Davide Macullo Architects, the new 2,243-square-metre Veterinary Hospital challenges conventional typologies by fusing brutalist concrete forms with biophilic, emotionally intelligent design.
Spread over three levels, the building houses both a full-service vet clinic and an integrated pet hotel, setting a new benchmark for how architecture can enhance psychological well-being for animals and humans alike.
Curved Concrete as Therapy
The most striking element of the design is the fluid concrete shell that curves gently around the structure. These sculptural walls form elevated planted terraces, offering both indoor-outdoor connectivity and spatial release. The architects explain that the curved geometry plays a psychological role.
By abandoning sterile, rectilinear enclosures in public zones, the design supports a more humane and calming experience for animals prone to stress in clinical settings. Meanwhile, more orthogonal treatment rooms and back-office functions remain tucked into the L-shaped rear core on the ground floor, preserving a structured workflow behind the scenes.
The studio explains that the organic geometry helps “eliminate any atavistic fears of enclosure”, countering clinical sterility and reducing anxiety in pets.
Spatial Psychology Meets Brutalism
Macullo’s team took a deliberate approach: merging spatial psychology with the raw honesty of exposed concrete. The material both inside and out lends a tactile, grounded aesthetic that’s more inviting than one might expect.
The entrance and reception area, bathed in daylight through glazed walls, uses concrete as a symbol of institutional coldness and also as a canvas for clarity and order. The contrast of soft exterior contours vs rigid interior planning infuses the building with a kinetic sense of calm and movement.
Elevated Terraces as Healing Zones
On the upper floors, including a second-floor canteen, corridors open onto a series of terraces shaded by the curving façade. These are balconies and semi-private therapeutic gardens designed for recovering pets and their owners. Outfitted with concrete planters and tranquil seating, the terraces provide natural light, fresh air, and sensory relief, especially critical for animals in recovery or long-term care.
Carefully planned interior zoning reflects species-specific needs, separating cats and dogs where necessary and allowing for flexible interaction when appropriate. This layout, echoing human-centered design logic, ensures comfort and coexistence within the hospital’s compact footprint.
Davide Macullo Architects’ veterinary hospital goes beyond functional design. It serves as a spatial manifesto, where architecture directly engages with emotional health, especially for non-human users. This project positions itself as a progressive model for future veterinary facilities, where clinical efficiency, emotional safety, and architectural expression are no longer in opposition but seamlessly integrated.
Project details of Vet Hospital Tirana
Location: Tirana, Albania
Project: Vet Hospital Tirana
Architect: Davide Macullo Architects
Size: 2,243 sqm
Structure: Exposed concrete (interior and exterior)
Photography by Leonit Ibrahimi.
Explore Courses
.jpg "Ondrej Chybik - Rethinking Architecture")
