Construction Begins on County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center Designed by Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New modern facility doubles current capacity for county’s lost or abandoned pets with best-in-class practices for animal care.

(SAN FRANCISCO, SACRAMENTO, CA) – Construction has begun on the new County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center in the City of San Martin, California. Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture completed the design with Florida-based animal care designer, Bacon Group, Inc., for the modernist facility on Highland Avenue in San Martin. Local general contractor, XL Construction is the Construction Manager of the facility, and construction is expected to be complete in spring 2021.

The County’s new Animal Services Center campus will have state-of-the-art animal care functions in a natural setting, providing innovative and sustainable building systems and amenities for the 24/7 facility. Features include dog kennel pods and open exercise yards, cat free roam rooms, kitten room, small animal area, barn, central courtyard, volunteer training and meeting rooms, offices, and separate Animal Clinic and community space.

The Park

A main feature of the building is a landscaped open-air courtyard that functions as a central meet-and-greet location for adoptable dogs to get to know potential owners. Jason A. Silva, AIA, design principal at D+B and the project’s designer said, “This new facility takes a distinct departure from traditional shelter design with dog kennels organized around a central park. Together with the surrounding ‘get acquainted’ pods, the experience offers a bright and open area to meet and greet adoptable dogs in a natural park-like environment.”

Animal Clinic

In addition to animal adoption classes, the Animal Services Center will teach the public about the benefits of spaying and neutering through on-site programs. The County is taking a proactive approach to overpopulation by educating the public on reducing the number of animals ending up at the Animal Services Center. By use of a public surgery suite, located inside the facility’s Animal Clinic, residents can bring their pets directly to the clinic for veterinarian-led reproductive procedures. The clinic is equipped with exam rooms, radiology, surgery suites, recovery suites and a private grief room.

Community Space

Another key feature of the Animal Services Center is its large meeting facility with commercial kitchen. Not only will animal-specific community events be held there, but other county agencies can utilize the assembly area for conferences and gatherings with space for up to 150 seated, or 300 standing occupants – a resource the county previously lacked.

Sustainability Features

The County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification. Sustainable features incorporated into the facility’s design include rainwater management, close access to quality transit options, and is equipped for photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Project History Information

Since 1978, the County of Santa Clara Animal Care and Control Department was housed in a makeshift former residence on land previously sold to the County. The current facility had several additions, temporary portables, and could not be expanded further to meet the County’s needs. The existing shelter facility will be demolished.

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About Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture

Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture (D+B), founded in ­1950 in Sacramento, Calif., with an office in San Francisco, is a mid-size firm headquartered in the California capital. The firm serves corporate, public, and institutional markets with solutions achieved through collaboration and innovation. Committed to a sustainable future, D+B brings expertise in architecture, master planning, interiors, graphic design, and construction services. Recent projects include Sacramento State University Union Expansion, AIA California Office Relocation, and the Placer County Animal Services Center. www.dreyfussblackford.com

About XL Construction

XL Construction builds to improve lives. As a contractor of choice for leading companies in life sciences, advanced technology, corporate office, civic, healthcare, and education, our focus on team success has earned us a network of excellent partners and a 90% client referral rate. XL is consistently ranked among the top general contractors in Northern California and regularly receives recognition as the #1 Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer in the Bay Area. www.xlconstruction.com

About Bacon Group

Bacon Group, Inc., is a general practice architectural firm founded in 1991 by Richard S. Bacon, who serves as its president and principal architect. Originally called The Bacon Design Group, the firm is in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Bacon Group serves public, corporate and individual clients and draws a majority of its work from the public sector —specifically municipalities, county governments, special districts—and public and private not-for-profit providers of services to the community. www.bgarchitects.com