San Luis Obispo New Animal Services Facility

Together, F&H Construction and LDA Partners designed and constructed a new 15,243 square foot Animal Services Facility for the County of San Luis Obispo. 

The new design incorporates a wood grained phenolic panel façade, architecturally exposed wood beams and architectural style that resonates with the Central Coast aesthetic and creates spaces that are both friendly and inviting. 

The design utilizes simple forms at the entry of building to designate the natural entry feature. The north facing exposure minimizes solar heat gain while opening the entry up to natural lighting, reducing the overall energy footprint. The front entry houses the public space such as the lobby, multi-purpose space and public animal housing areas such as “Catios”, rabbit habitat etc. Dog housing wings flank the exterior dog adoption courtyard with also opens up to the entry. 

The facility has a general capacity for 65 dogs, 75 to 100 cats, and with outdoor kennel runs and exercise yards. It includes separate areas for quarantined animals, isolation during evaluation, feral animals, nursery, exotic animals, chickens, and rabbits.  It also accommodates livestock and emergency animal housing, dog walking, outdoor training areas, afterhours drop off kennels, crematorium, sallyport, and wash area for vehicles and animals. The facility houses office space, conference/interview rooms, exam and treatment rooms, public lobby, multipurpose room, and clear delineation between public and staff service areas.