Arons and Gelauff

Animal Refuge Centre

Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten

ANIMAL REFUGE CENTRE

Arons en Gelauff Architecten

LOCATION
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Animal Shelter

PROJECT YEAR
2007

AREA
5800.0 m2

Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten
Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten

Text description provided by architect.

The two Amsterdam animal refuges in Amsterdam have been amalgamated - the new-built is the largest pound in the Netherlands. The plot is in the city fringe, an apparently impossible wedge of cake.

Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten
Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten

The "comb model" usual for this function consists of a long service corridor, with a repetition of kennels at right angles to it, separated by small outside spaces. This model is dominated by railings and the look of it closely resembles a prison.

We have had the service corridor and the kennel corridor converge in the Amsterdam Animal Rescue Centre. This creates a long, thin ribbon building.

Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten
Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten

This building is folded like a ribbon along the waterway around the plot. Inside this, two large play spaces for the animals have been created.

The building faces inwards in order to reduce excessive noise levels (barking!) for the neighbours. In the high part of the building, the cat accommodation is located above the dog kennels as an extra sound buffer for the outside world.

Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten
Animal Refuge Centre
© Arons en Gelauff Architecten

The central position of the entrance lobby determines the final form - a fluid object. Its hide is a pixel version of the grass on the old dike next to the location.


Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre


Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre


Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre


Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre


Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre
Animal Refuge Centre

Arons and Gelauff
T +31 20 4235530
Arons and Gelauff
Gedempt Hamerkanaal 92, 1021 KR Amsterdam, Netherlands