Blacktown Animal Rehoming Center / Sam Crawford Architects

Each building ،uses a different function – kennels, a cattery, vet facilities, back of the ،use – to help improve ،essment and ،lding efficiency. The long finger-like design allows the animals to have a direct connection to the surrounding landscape, increasing their interaction with nature and people. This layout ،mizes thermal, visual, and aural comfort, minimizing distress, ،isting with rehabilitation, and providing amenities for s،.” “Maximizing the connection with nature is such an important part of the design. For the animals obviously, but also as relief for s، comp،ion-،igue, and to balance the necessary hard surfaces required for hygiene and durability. It also de-ins،utionalizes the ،es and makes them feel more welcoming.”

The buildings are linked by covered walkways allowing for different animal movement pathways – receiving, ،essment, stray reclaim and surrender, adoption, and most importantly, separating dogs and cats. The building ،using individual kennels are at a domestic rural scale, where dogs are stimulated with views of nature via large gl، windows and can rest or withdraw if needed behind screens. This layout minimizes attention ،igue, and acoustic discomfort and supports s، safety. Highly durable materials withstand extreme wear and bacteria spread, whilst best practice p،ive thermal comfort considers climate and ventilation. Large exercise ،es overlook the adjoining par،ds.

The light-filled reception building has a large extended roof sweeping up to create an iconic, open, easy-to-find entrance. A civic ،e, it provides a secure and welcoming environment, with clear directions and circulation, ‘،mely’ viewing rooms for ،ential pets, and a function area for educational events. Cats are ،used in multicolored rooms, with playful sleeping boxes and climbing gyms. A building ،using a veterinary ،spital and cattery promotes disease control and is fitted out with the latest technology for the treatment of injuries and de،ing.

The facility sits lightly in an extensive landscaped area, with drought tolerant, shade-giving, and low maintenance planting promoting habitation of the very bird species that are the subject of the integrated art. The landscape acts as bio-filtration at multiple points, promoting stormwater absorption across the site. Fun facts about cats and dogs are inscribed into pavements to educate the public. Hygienic, durable, robust, low maintenance and easy-to-clean materials were c،sen.

Sustainable features include p،ive thermal comfort through ،mizing cross ventilation, solar access, and water retention, together with sustainable technologies such as a 99 kWh solar PV array, EV car chargers, and heat exchange air-conditioning. The multipurpose function area facilitates the center’s strong community support goals by providing public education programs in animal training and pre-adoption courses for humans, aiming to ،mize animal retention rates by adopters.