The RSPCA Headquarters is located at the heart of the Burwood Heights Activity Centre, as identified in the ‘Melbourne 2030’ sustainable growth plan. The creation of the Burwood Heights Activity Centre and the mixed-use development of land surrounding the RSPCA site, provided an excellent context within which to upgrade the facility and form strong linkages with the local and wider community.
The completed redevelopment consolidates all functions into a series of connected buildings with a single entry point. Through strong branding and innovative architecture, the RSPCA can better serve the animals within their care by attracting more people to the site, promoting higher animal adoption rates and providing education to facilitate informed animal adoption choices.
The redeveloped facility is a model of excellence in animal care, providing an exemplary experience for all users and visitors.
The courtyard has been designed with the intention of fully animating the dogs’ exercise experience. The black and white ribbed, metal wall-cladding is angled to distort the regularity of the figure, equally, the serpentine pathways, alternating gravel textures and intermingled native flora offer movement and sensory stimulation.
The redevelopment comprises of five buildings housing 200 quarantine dog kennels. The kennels are fully naturally ventilated, and utilise passive solar and wind design, including shower towers for cooling and in-slab hydronic pipes for heating. The kennels have acoustic treatment to all ventilation paths, as well as within each kennel, to make the environment more comfortable for staff and dogs.
