The new facility locates the animals in prime spaces with cages facing the exterior in a single row wrapping the building. These spaces feature natural ventilation and light, which is accomplished by raising the roof and adding a clerestory between the lower and the higher perimeter roof as well as operable louvers on the exterior walls.

The building is designed as a low budget, high performance facility using locally produced materials with high recycled content. Materials were chosen to withstand abuse and minimize long term maintenance costs, further reinforcing the life cycle sustainability of the building. Landscape design follows a similar principle using drought tolerant indigenous plantings to lower maintenance and water use.

The Staten Island Animal Care Center creates a humane and controlled environment for animals awaiting adoption. The heart of the design is a reversal of the typical arrangement of animal care facilities: animals are housed around the perimeter of the building while offices and service functions are placed in the interior. Since the staff spends most of its time with the animals, this arrangement benefits both.

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East Elmhurst Branch Library