RSPCA SA approached Ashley Halliday Architects in early 2019 to lead a site option evaluation and concept feasibility study to deliver its vision for a new Animal Care Centre to replace its aged Lonsdale Shelter. A preferred site and concept was selected and the project is now under construction working toward completion in early 2024.
The new Animal Care Campus at Glenthorne Farm demonstrates RSPCA’s commitment to worlds best practice animal care standards and at the same time creates a vibrant community destination hub. It will offer a broad array of animal care and welfare education, training programs, volunteer and allied welfare support spaces, as well as animal care and adoption services.
The centre will accommodate a broad range of functions including a dedicated facility for Australian Native Wildlife Care, a general animal ‘Arrivals’ and veterinary clinic, a consolidated state administrative centre for RSPCA SA, a community education centre, adoption/retail as well as dog, cat, and pocket pet holding facilities.
The new facility will provide an opportunity to diversify RSPCA’s revenues streams to include education and visitor experiences and allow it to remain financially viable long into the future. Programmes will include:
- Community animal care training programmes
- After school, weekend and holiday animal care programmes for children
- Vocational training in animal care programmes (TAFE and University level)
- Animal interactive campus tours and Urban Farm Experiences
- Meetings, conferences and events in a flexible array of campus spaces
Not only will these programmes deliver improved animal care practices in the community, they will also attract people to the new Glenthorne National Park, linking the Campus to its broader environmental context. Importantly the campus also reflects RSPCA SA’s strategic pivot towards a greater focus on caring for our injured and sick native wildlife in South Australia.
Key design features include:
- Optimised operational functionality catering to various animal care and welfare services.
- Design compliance with VSBA , PIRSA, AVA ,Biosecurity, RSPCA Regulations, and National Construction Code guidelines.
- Reflection of RSPCA’s mission, core values, and ethos – showcasing its history, unique service, people, volunteers, stories, respect for community and the natural environment (flora and fauna).
- A state of the art Education Centre that will skillfully promote a unique and engaging dialogue between the community and the RSPCA.
- An engaging, pragmatic, simple, and cost-effective architectural language that resonates thoughtfully with Glenthorne National Parks natural ethos.
- Incorporation of a broad range of intelligent ecologically sustainable development and energy-saving initiatives.
- All-year-round operability and operational flexibility to manage the highly variable numbers of animals needing support and care, including emergencies and disasters.
Location: Glenthorne National Park (Ityamaiitpinna Yarta), South Australia
Client: RSPCA SA
Project Value: $26m
Construction: Feb 2023 – March 2024
Services Provided: Concept Feasibility and Site Evaluation Study, Project Management, Contract Supertintendent, Architecture and Interior Design.
