Williamson County Animal Center
906 Studio Architects
Williamson County Animal Center
906 Studio Architects
Awards Category : : Large Project (over 25,000 sf)
The Williamson County Animal Center integrates the latest in animal-centric design combining an idyllic, rural aesthetic along with functionality. Due to the strong collaboration with the animal shelter staff and a nationally renowned shelter planning specialist, the result is a dynamic, effective, modern facility. Through a clear understanding of the clients’ processes and needs, the shelter now serves as a wonderful home for animals and a great work environment for the staff.
Williamson County was in desperate need of a new animal care facility as the previous outdated facility inhibited the service capabilities of the hard-working staff, negatively impacting the growth of the shelter and the wellbeing of the animals. The Architect was selected to design a new animal center for Williamson County that would serve as the standard for shelters nationwide.
The new facility was built on a large, undeveloped piece of county property on the outskirts of Franklin, providing a “blank slate” lot to craft an outstanding facility that embodied its rural setting. However, in both design and construction, the lack of existing infrastructure became a consistent challenge to the design team.
Despite challenges, the guiding design standards were achieved: ease of operation, a user-friendly experience, and a comfortable environment for both people and animals. To meet these goals, the team designed separate entry lobbies to serve each of the adoption, impound, and medical areas, creating an opportunity for shelter staff to serve customers efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, once inside the facility, spatially independent areas for cats at the front and dogs towards the rear provide a full sight, sound, and smell separation which significantly alleviates the stress levels of the animals and the staff as they work. In the rear of the building, the exterior walls of the dog kennel areas are outfitted with full glass garage doors, providing constant views beyond the kennel, ample natural light, and outdoor accessibility for the dogs. On the other side of the center, cats enjoy a similar arrangement with indoor “Cat Community” areas opening directly onto individual “Catio” outdoor spaces. By incorporating these intentional design strategies, the design team was able to create a refuge of calm and security, promoting the wellbeing of both animals and people.
Additional notable features of the center include the medical wing with a state-of-the art surgery center, a variety of volunteer support areas, a 1,200 square-foot education hall, a 1,200 square-foot indoor dog training area, a quarter-mile walking track around the site and a dog park. The center has the kennel capacity for 86 dogs and space for over 100 cats, including 8 free-roam rooms. The shelter also showcases an aesthetically pleasing exterior designed in a rural architectural style, greeting customers and staff with a familiar, local style that blends seamlessly with the surrounding agricultural context.
Date of Completion: March of 2022
Client: Williamson County of Tennessee
General Contractor: Solomon Builders
Consultants:
Land Planner/Landscape Architect: Gamble Design Collaborative- Greg Gamble / greg.gamble@gdc-tn.com / (615) 975-5765
Structural Engineering: Kimley Horn-Ryan McMaster / ryan.mcmaster@kimley-horn.com / 615-564-2701
MEP Engineering: Genesis Engineering- Pam Tarkington / ptarkington@genesis-engineeringgroup.com / (615) 261-4756
Owner’s Representative: Oversite Consulting- Will Cross / willc@oversiteconsult.com / (615) 945-6565
Photography Credits:
1 – The front entrance greets visitors with a rural design style comprised of grand cupolas, board & batten, and stone finishes. Photo by Ford Photography.
2 – The site plan showcases an overall view of the strategic arrangement and planning of the animal center design. Photo by Ford Photography.
3 – The floor plan gives a close-up perspective of the intent behind the distinct areas of the animal center, such as the separation of the medical lobby and the entry lobby. Photo by Ford Photography.
4 – Interior, kennel, entry, and side elevations show the creative design of the animal center along with , all designed in a modern, grand rural style. and intention behind Photo by Ford Photography.
5 – The views of the front and rear demonstrate the breadth and vast capabilities of the center as a useful, lasting solution for citizens and animals of Williamson County. Photo by Ford Photography.
6 – A close view of the front entry, showcases labeled signage equipping visitors to easily enter the correct lobby: a main adoption entry lobby, an impound lobby, or a medical lobby. Photo by Ford Photography.
7 – The main adoption lobby welcomes visitors with bright colors, modern finishes, rustic wood elements, high ceilings with decorative interior truss, and meeting areas behind a creative wood accent wall. Photo by Ford Photography.
8 – Natural light shines brightly through a glass corridor, guiding visitors and staff to the dog adoption area and the dog impound area. Photo by Ford Photography.
9 – The indoor/outdoor capabilities in the dog kennel areas provide ease of access for the animal center staff to effectively walk and train dogs. Photo by Ford Photography.
10 – The isolated medical clinic lobby is spacious and modern, creating an environment of ease for dogs and owners as they proceed to varying medical appointments/emergencies. Photo by Ford Photography.
11 – The cat areas were specially designed on the opposite end of the dog area, easing stress as cats play freely with built in wall accessories in a quiet environment along with outdoor accessibility. Photo by Ford Photography.
12 – The 1,200 square-foot education hall provides ample space for a variety of uses: volunteer training, community enrichment, public events, and staff/volunteer meetings. Photo by Ford Photography.
13 – The state-of-the-art medical wing is equipped with two private surgery rooms, medical tables, vast storage area, and separated animal kennels for ease of operation. Photo by Ford Photography.
14 – The front entrance of the animal center sits boldly at dusk, equipped with state of the art resources inside and outside, ready to serve the many animals and owners of Williamson County. Photo by Ford Photography.