VCUarts Qatar Students Propose Innovative Redesign for Royal Vet Clinic in Community-Focused Project

In a creative collaboration blending education, design innovation, and social impact, students from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) have partnered with the Royal Vet Clinic and local animal welfare organization Cats Etcetera to reimagine the clinic’s ground floor.

As part of a sophomore-level Interior Design Studio course, students were challenged to redesign the clinic’s layout to improve not only the customer and pet experience but also the daily workflow of veterinarians and staff. The project reflects a growing emphasis on community-focused design, combining functionality with empathy for both people and animals.

“Design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about creating better experiences,” said Pornprapha Phatanateacha, adjunct faculty member in the Interior Design department. “This partnership shows how thoughtful design can make a real difference in both spaces and lives.”

Students approached the redesign using a rigorous, real-world design process that included data collection, user experience mapping, site analysis, prototyping, and synthesis. A strong emphasis was placed on Service Design methodology, ensuring the final concepts addressed the real needs of pets, owners, and clinic staff alike.

The course is taught by a multidisciplinary team:

Pornprapha Phatanateacha, Adjunct Faculty
Mohammad Suleiman, Chair, Interior Design Department
Liam Colquhoun, Associate Professor
Dr. Johan Granberg, Associate Professor
Sabir Numan, Adjunct Faculty

Beyond rethinking the physical space, the project also carried a meaningful community mission. In collaboration with Cats Etcetera, the initiative supported the spaying of 15 female stray cats across Qatar, a small but vital step toward improving animal welfare and controlling the stray population.

“By applying Service Design principles to a real-world setting, students learn how to create user-centered solutions that go beyond theory,” said Associate Professor Liam Colquhoun. “And in the process, they also directly contribute to the well-being of our wider community.”

This partnership showcases how academic institutions, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations can come together to make a positive impact—through design, compassion, and collaboration.