Animal Welfare League

The development of a state-of-the-art Animal Care Centre to meet global best practice standards in animal shelters and veterinary care, is the amalgamation of a multitude of dispersed functions to optimized operational efficiencies, reduced animal stress, improved staff/volunteer well-being and enhanced the customer experience.

The redevelopment delivers an integrated amenity promoting both strong community connections with animals and improved staff well-being thereby increasing voluntary performance. The architectural articulation of internal and external spaces has resulted in a socially, economically, and culturally sustainable animal care centre.

The building’s orientation and grand curvature façade commands a strong and welcoming street presence. Behind the façade lies a series of complex operational spaces that support animal care. These spaces are made up of a curved 2-storey element, juxtaposed by a series of rectilinear single storey components. Linking these spaces are ‘outlook’ courtyards which filter natural light to clinical and animal recovery areas. The architecture’s skewed orientation separates the public from private staff/operational areas and facilitates the preservation of the existing flora and fauna which connects all public interfaces.

The client sought insight from similar operations worldwide and were guided by the US based Fear Free Design principles which consider the impacts of noise, colour, species separation, etc. These design principles has received positive reactions following functioning operation of the finished product. Acoustic engineering was imperative in the management of animal noise between spaces, which is a major contributor to animal distress and agitation.

Optimization of value outcomes for AWL was a main focus for donated funds. Identification and evaluation of value management strategies and outcomes ensured that informed decisions were made.

The overall design intent, from street to built form, has been crafted with the purpose of promoting community interaction. The incorporation of green spaces and memorial gardens revitalized the site to appeal to the wider South Australian community.