New South Wales
Regional
BARC (Bathurst Animal Rehoming Facility) is a flexible, multipurpose public facility run by Bathurst Regional Council where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals are housed and re-homed. Located in Kelso, east of Bathurst, this innovative facility replaces an outdated pound with a new design comprised of four distinct ’farmbuildings’, including a public-friendly ‘homestead’, practical shed spaces, and a circular adoption pavilion set amidst an open cloistered garden for prospective owners to bond with pets.
Designed with environmental sensitivity, the new facility integrates efficient heating, cooling, and water management systems, including a substantial solar array and rainwater harvesting.
BARC is an example of well considered, practical and flexible architecture, one that quietly goes about its multi-faceted job quietly and pragmatically – providing a socially aware response to the issue of animal welfare in regional NSW.
Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) is a wonderful example of how an architect can turn an ostensibly utilitarian building into a welcoming and functional public facing facility to the benefit of the local community.
Located on Wiradjuri Country in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Bathurst, the project caters for a variety of functions across the site, while succeeding in the active care of both its human and animal occupants.
Surprises of delicate detailing are interspersed within the necessarily robust and economical buildings. Careful planning of spaces and volumes has reduced the stress for visitors and improved the lives of staff, resulting in the tangible benefit of improved staff retention.
BARC demonstrates the great value that clever design can bring to the provision of community services.
The design benefits the way the BARC team operates the facility by minimising stress on the animals in Council’s care. Animals can be moved within the facility in a manner which prioritises staff safety and the kennel design allows for efficient cleaning and hygiene processes. The public spaces have been designed to create a welcoming and practical space for bonding between animals for adoption and their potential new families.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
