LAKES VETERINARY HOSPITAL– BATTLE LAKE, MINNESOTA
Client & Background
After a three-decade career in veterinary medical research within the University of California system, Dr. Kate Wasson was ready for a new chapter—one that would bring her back to her hometown and allow her to take on a more hands-on role in patient care and community service. In 2020, she and her husband, Donald Clark, purchased Lakes Veterinary Hospital in Battle Lake, serving west central Minnesota in the heart of Otter Tail County.
Rather than continue operating out of the hospital’s longtime building, Dr. Wasson made the decision to invest in a new, modern facility that would better support her clients, patients, and staff. The new hospital more than doubled the available footprint, creating space for improved workflow, expanded services, and a better day-to-day experience for the people working inside it. From the beginning, Dr. Wasson had a clear vision for the new building: it needed to feel bright, welcoming, and filled with natural light.
The Challenges
As the design process began, one of the project’s major priorities was to bring daylight deep into the building. Daylight was important not only for the client experience, but also for staff wellbeing. In a veterinary setting, where employees spend long hours moving between exam rooms, treatment spaces, labs, and support areas, the quality of the environment can directly affect comfort, focus, and morale. Dr. Wassonunderstood that creating a positive workplace would be an important part of attracting and retaining a strong team.
Perimeter windows were included throughout the exterior rooms to provide daylight and views, but the building’s interior spaces presented a greater challenge. The original design explored the use of a high ceiling and clerestory system to introduce daylight into the core of the building. However, as the design evolved, the team identified an opportunity to simplify the original clerestory approach and reduce project costs. By reworking that portion of the design, they were able to preserve the daylighting intent while contributing an estimated $250,000 to $300,000 in savings. The team needed a more practical way to achieve the same design intent without compromising the budget.
The Solutions
To support the design goals for the project, Dr. Wasson partnered with TerWisscha Construction Inc. (TWC) of Willmar Minnesota, a highly recognized design-build firm specializing in Animal Care facilities across the U.S. Having worked with Daylight Specialists on previous projects, the TWC team knew that Solatube tubular daylighting devices could provide an effective alternative to more expensive clerestory construction.
The team selected Solatube 750 DS systems, a 21-inch diameter daylighting solution with dual domes for improved thermal performance and OptiView diffusers for balanced, comfortable light distribution. These units were incorporated into a variety of interior spaces throughout the clinic, bringing natural light into areas that otherwise would have relied entirely on electric lighting.
At the center of the building, two Solatube systems were installed in the lab and pharmacy space, delivering enough daylight to create a bright and comfortable transition from surrounding perimeter rooms. One interior exam room also received a Solatube, helping the space feel naturally lit throughout the day without the need to immediately switch on overhead lights. Additional units were placed in the treatment area, where daylight helps create a more balanced environment for both staff and animals, even when supplemental task lighting is used. The daylighting plan extended even to the laundry room, where added natural light improved the feel of a typically utilitarian space.
For Dr. Wasson, the decision was an easy one. She had seen Solatube systems in a previous role and remembered being surprised by how much usable natural light they delivered. That experience, combined with input from the design team, made Solatube the right fit for the project.
The Results
Staff Experience
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the project is the improved work environment for hospital staff. Natural light now reaches into the building’s core spaces, helping create a workplace that feels more open, comfortable, and supportive throughout the day. In a profession that can be demanding and emotionally taxing, access to daylight contributes to a better daily experience for the people providing care.
Functional Daylight in Interior Spaces
The Solatube systems provide enough illumination in key interior areas that electric lighting use can often be reduced during daylight hours. There was even a Solatube installed in Dr. Wasson’s office. Dr. Wasson noted that she frequently works in her office in the morning without turning on the lights at all. That level of usable daylight helps improve visual comfort while supporting the practical day-to-day function of the hospital.
Improved Client and Patient Experience
From the bright front entry to the naturally lit exam and treatment spaces, the hospital offers a more welcoming experience for clients and a calmer environment for animals. Quality daylight helps reduce the harshness often associated with fully artificial lighting, making the space feel more approachable and less clinical.
Budget-Conscious Design
By choosing Solatube daylighting systems in place of a much more expensive clerestory approach, the team was able to achieve its daylighting goals in a way that aligned with the project budget. The result is a building that feels bright and people-centered without requiring a major cost premium.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
This project reflects a shared understanding between Dr. Wasson, TerWisscha Construction, and Daylight Specialists: building performance is important, but so is human experience. In a veterinary clinic, that means creating a space that supports staff wellbeing, improves comfort for clients and animals, and helps the building work better for the people inside it every day.
As a fully consultative daylighting partner, Daylight Specialists worked alongside the project team to identify a daylighting solution that fit the design goals, supported interior functionality, and aligned with the overall vision for the clinic. The result is a facility that uses daylight not as an afterthought, but as a key part of the experience it provides.
Conclusion
Lakes Veterinary Hospital demonstrates how thoughtful daylighting can elevate a healthcare environment without adding unnecessary complexity or cost. By integrating Solatube daylighting throughout the new facility, the project team created a clinic that feels brighter, more welcoming, and more supportive for staff, clients, and patients alike.
When asked whether she would change anything about the design, Dr. Wasson’s answer was simple: “If money were no object, I would put a Solatube in every room.”
