SPCA Animal Welfare and Education Centre in Tsing Yi

Life matters, regardless of its forms. This animal care and education centre represents the next milestone in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)’s century-long mission to end animal cruelty, alleviate suffering and improve animal welfare in Hong Kong.

As the largest and longest-standing non-profit, non-government charity organisation focusing on animal welfare in the city, the SPCA collaborated with P&T Architects and other industry experts to create this one-stop hub to provide rescue, medical care, rehabilitation, adoption and post-adoption services. It also serves as an education and outreach centre that aims to promote responsible pet ownership, adoption and pet-inclusivity throughout the local community and schools.

Spanning over 8,630 square metres, the five-storey centre hosts the largest animal clinic and hospital in the New Territories. Its strategic location helps shorten the routes to support the SPCA’s rescue cases in the district, while also serving as a solid resource for pet owners in the surrounding areas from Tsuen Wan to Kwai Tsing and beyond. Moreover, there is a pet-friendly promenade and a dog park nearby, making this centre an accessible destination for animal lovers.

Hong Kong’s first immersive classroom promoting animal welfare

SPATIAL PROGRAMMING FOR COMPREHENSIVE ANIMAL SERVICES
The designated spaces were carefully segmented, each outfitted with specialised equipment and facilities to support efficient operations. The ground floor comprises the reception, cat adoption, exotic animal adoption and retail areas. The dog adoption zone, behaviour and training zone and exhibition space occupy the first floor. The second floor is mainly dedicated to educational activities, with a conference room, a library and four classrooms. The third floor houses the areas for the inspectorate, animal birth control and foster parent programmes, as well as a surgery suite for rescued animals. The fourth floor, scheduled to open on 3 September 2024, is where the veterinary services will be provided. Topping off the building, the rooftop features a 6,400-square-foot pet garden.

Potential adopters can enter the cats’ private rooms to interact with them

ANIMAL-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
Constructing an effective and well-functioning animal care facility requires careful consideration and selection of finishing materials. For example, the walls in the dog kennels need to be highly durable to withstand scratching, with minimal gaps or crevices where dirt could accumulate. The surface materials should be non-toxic and easy to clean. As such, the project team chose water-based wall paints throughout the interior, which have a milder odour compared to solvent-based alternatives and help minimise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name
SPCA Animal Welfare and Education Centre in Tsing Yi
Location
Tsing Yi, Hong Kong
Completion Date
July 2023
Site Area
3,087 square metres
Gross Floor Area
8,630 square metres
Building Height
5 storeys
Client/Owner/Developer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) Trustees Incorporated
Architecture Firm
P&T Architects Limited
Principal Architects
Joel Chan; Aaron Chan; Samuel Tse; Karen Ho
Civil & Structural Engineer
P&T Engineers Limited
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer
P&T (M&E) Limited
Quantity Surveyor
WT Partnership (HK) Ltd
Lighting Consultant
Landscape Architect Landes Limited
Green Building Consultant
Allied Environmental Consultants Limited
Main Contractor
W&Y Construction and Engineering Co Ltd
Images
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)

This is an excerpt. The original article is published in
Construction+ Q3 2024 Issue: Constructing Healthcare.
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