All Creatures Great and Small: A Home for Pets and Their People
Nestled in the heart of Downers Grove, Illinois, All Creatures Great and Small is not just another veterinary practice; it is a sanctuary steeped in history and designed with love. This privately owned clinic has recently garnered recognition as a merit winner in the 2024 Hospital Design360 competition, specifically in the 3500 to 8000 square foot facility category. With its unique house-like design, both inside and out, the practice aims to create a warm, welcoming environment that feels more like a home than a sterile hospital.
A Vision of Home
Dr. Andrew Eisenberg, co-owner of All Creatures Great and Small, shared his vision for the clinic in an interview with dvm360. The goal was to create a space that felt like a family practice or a visit to a friend’s house, steering away from the conventional, often intimidating atmosphere of traditional veterinary hospitals. “We try to have…more like a friendly, welcoming aspect, like visiting a friend’s house where you happen to be going to the [veterinary],” Eisenberg explained. This philosophy is at the core of their approach to animal care, emphasizing the importance of being a partner in their clients’ pets’ health and well-being.
A Home Like the Rest
Exterior Design
The exterior of All Creatures Great and Small is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood. The clinic features a lush grass front yard, common yard plants, a charming chimney, and a front porch adorned with comfortable chairs that serve as an outdoor waiting area. Eisenberg noted that the team took special care to enhance the curb appeal while ensuring handicap accessibility. This thoughtful design choice invites clients to feel at ease as they approach the clinic, making it feel less like a medical facility and more like a welcoming home.
Interior Ambiance
Inside, the clinic continues its home-like theme. The waiting area is modeled after a cozy living room, complete with a wood-inspired aesthetic. The flooring is made of modern tiling that mimics hardwood, offering durability and ease of cleaning without sacrificing style. Overhead, wooden beams create an inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of a great room in a family home. Large picture windows frame the outdoors, allowing natural light to flood the space, while a see-through fireplace adds warmth and charm to both the lobby and the front porch. “We have that on in the wintertime,” Eisenberg said, highlighting how the fireplace contributes to the clinic’s inviting ambiance.
The front desk, a focal point of the reception area, is crafted from butcher block material, reminiscent of a classic wooden kitchen surface. Eisenberg described it as a “nice work surface” that ties the living room and kitchen themes together, reinforcing the idea that clients are stepping into a home rather than a clinical environment.
A Legacy of Care
All Creatures Great and Small is not the Eisenbergs’ first venture into creating a clinic that feels like home. Prior to this location, Ken Eisenberg, Andrew’s father and co-owner, founded a clinic in 2001 that operated out of a converted home in downtown Downers Grove. Many clients fondly remember the original space, which had been a single-family residence. When designing their new location, the Eisenbergs aimed to retain the essence of their former practice while incorporating modern elements.
“It’s kind of like building a new house and moving,” Andrew explained. “You try to make it nice, but you try to keep those elements that make it feel like a home.” The new clinic is conveniently located just around the corner from the original site, allowing them to maintain their connection to the community they have served for over two decades.
A Tapestry of History
One of the most cherished features of All Creatures Great and Small is its artwork. The lobby boasts a stunning mural that serves as a collage of the clinic’s former building, its current location, the clinic’s logo, and the beloved animals that have been part of its history. Eisenberg expressed his affection for this mural, which includes representations of past and present resident animals, including his own pets. “It’s almost like a historical tapestry of our animals and our buildings sitting front and center,” he said, noting how it resonates with clients who have been part of the clinic’s journey.
Conclusion
All Creatures Great and Small is more than just a veterinary practice; it is a testament to the Eisenberg family’s commitment to creating a nurturing environment for pets and their owners. With its thoughtful design, rich history, and a focus on community connection, the clinic stands as a beacon of care and compassion in Downers Grove. As clients walk through its doors, they are not just entering a veterinary hospital; they are stepping into a home where their pets are treated like family.