• Date Completed

    May 2021

  • Building Area

    20,720 Sq Ft

  • Construction Cost

    $7.8 million

  • Location

    Lafayette, Louisiana

  • Client

    Lafayette Consolidated Government

As the Architect of Record and lead designer while serving as principal at Architects Beazley Moliere, Adam Beazley along with Sal Longo from Beazley + Longo Shelter Design, took on the rewarding task of creating a larger, updated facility for the Lafayette Animal Shelter, with the goal of achieving No-Kill status. The aspiration to attain No-Kill status hinged on four vital factors: ample animal housing, appropriate treatment facilities for sick or injured animals, the capacity for large-scale spaying and neutering, and improved adoption rates. The new shelter rose to the occasion, not only providing space for more animals but also ensuring their well-being with larger, well-lit housing areas that are easier to clean and maintain.

With a focus on animal welfare, the shelter’s clinical areas were expanded, enabling more efficient treatment of animals and facilitating spaying and neutering procedures. To enhance the adoption experience, a warm and inviting Adoption Lobby was designed, encouraging public engagement and increasing adoption rates.

Recognizing the importance of education, a 450 square foot Education Center was thoughtfully incorporated, allowing the shelter to host public training events and educate the community on proper animal care. The site itself was carefully designed to cater to the animals’ well-being, with multiple exercise yards and play areas, as well as a beautifully landscaped retention pond encircled by a walking path, allowing potential adopters to get to know the animals before bringing them home.

The 20,720 square foot campus consists of two buildings connected by short covered walks: the Dog Dorms and the Main Building, housing the Cat Condos, Lobby, Education Center, Clinical Areas, and Offices. The layout of the Dog Dorms and Cat Condos ensures that the public can safely explore the spaces without staff present, leading to improved efficiency and reduced wait times for those interested in adopting animals.

With Adam Beazley’s expertise at the helm, this remarkable shelter stands as a testament to compassionate design, prioritizing the well-being of animals and fostering a more positive adoption experience for both the animals and their future forever homes. The accolades for this project have been abundant, with multiple prestigious awards recognizing its excellence. It received the esteemed Award of Merit in 2022 from AIA Louisiana, further solidifying its architectural prowess. Notably, it also garnered the coveted Award of Merit at The Current IN Design Awards in 2023, attesting to its exceptional design. In addition to these honors, the project was honored with the Readers Choice Award at The Current IN Design Awards in 2023, cementing its place as a favorite among the design community and beyond.