Under one roof

Operated by the House of Joy and Mercy, a non-profit animal organization, the Shelter for Dogs and other Animals is a foster home for stray dogs and other abandoned animals. According to animal rights organizations, at least 4000 animals have been displaced as a result of the government’s North East New Territories New Development Planning. The shelter acts as a temporary settlement before these abandoned dogs find a new home.

We envisioned the shelter as a big canopy under which different lives have their own space while being able to engage with each other in oneness. Surrounding a tree, the pavilion hosts a number of programs, including six rooms for 50 dogs, a care room for sick dogs, a lounge, and an office. Each dog room has two entrances, one leading to the courtyard and the other to the backyard. The courtyard caters for more public engagements while the backyard allows for private one-to-one outdoor training.

Our planning leaves a central axis between the dog rooms and the courtyard to facilitate circulation. The loading zone is put under the roof to shelter loading activities during rainy seasons. Plants are grown to create a natural site boundary, with plenty of outdoor space for dogs to run around.

Dogs and humans see color differently. The architecture is mostly white and yellow is used sparingly as it is the color shared by both dog and human visions. Two visual panels with varying heights were designed for the doors to cater to different eye levels.