Author: Sara Shields

Owner: Fulton County

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Completion Date: 2023

PGAL, in collaboration with Animal Arts, designed the new $37 million Fulton County Animal Services shelter in Atlanta that replaces its 40-year-old, undersized predecessor.

Operated by Lifeline Animal Rescue, the new Animal Shelter is an excellent example of an effective partnering between public agencies and private enterprises. The design team worked closely with the County’s Public Safety staff, Lifeline staff, and volunteer groups for the facility throughout programming and design, ensuring operational and financial goals were addressed.

The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building can house 376 dogs and 99 cats, as well as livestock. The building is designed with daylight throughout, indoor/outdoor enclosures for the dogs, and “catios” for the feline residents. The shelter includes efficient, safe, and collaborative spaces for animal control and a shelter veterinary clinic that is designed and equipped so that the County can expand services offered to the public in the future. The County’s vision also included an opportunity to engage the greater community through training, educational programs, and other public gatherings. To satisfy this goal, the design incorporates training rooms that can be divided into separate meeting spaces, as well as a large public plaza located at the center of the facility to host fundraising, community rescue, and other public events.

The interior design reflects biophilic colors and textures, bringing life and interest to the kennels and public spaces. Every effort was made to incorporate daylighting into the building’s interior spaces to benefit both animals and staff. Two internal courtyards provide outdoor spaces for the smaller dogs and the quarantine and maternity dogs, respectively; these courtyards have storefront glazing at their ends to allow visual transparency and daylighting into the interior. In the main kennel wings, clerestory daylighting was implemented to serve as a sustainable design feature while also providing natural lighting to help maintain circadian sleep cycles, which can get disrupted and add stress to the animals housed in the facility.

Features include:

1. 50,000-square-foot new LEED certified Animal Shelter
2. Public-Private-Partnership between Fulton County and Lifeline Animal Rescue
3. Large, public plaza to host community events

The East Point City Hall in East Point, Georgia, is a 33,000-square-foot facility designed to revitalize the historic downtown area and serve as a central hub for city operations. Developed by the Sizemore Group, the project aimed to create a state-of-the-art facility that would act as a catalyst for community engagement and economic investment.

The design preserves the existing City Hall and Auditorium, creating an urban courtyard within walking distance of the East Point MARTA Station. The new facility includes city offices, a multipurpose City Council Chamber, and additional space for future expansion.

Sustainability was a key focus, with the building achieving EarthCraft Gold Certification by incorporating energy-efficient systems and fixtures. Features such as parking for carpools, electric vehicles, and bikes, as well as the use of local artwork and the integration of nature, contribute to the building’s sustainability goals.

Contract Business Interiors (CBI) collaborated on the project, providing interior solutions for private offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces, break areas, open-plan workstations, storage, and lounge areas. They partnered with manufacturers like Trendway, Indiana Furniture, and Krug to furnish these spaces.

The East Point City Hall stands as a symbol of the city’s commitment to sustainable development and community revitalization, offering a modern space that fosters collaboration among departments and serves as a gathering place for residents.

CALDWELL, GA

The renovation and expansion of the former Central Probation Detention Center (PDC) project scope includes renovation of an existing 26,978 square foot facility and design for two new 12,850 square foot housing units; a new 8,400 square foot gymnasium building; a new 4,500 square foot vocational education building; 3,500 square feet of medical offices; and outdoor recreation space.

Here’s a breakdown of the project and the architect’s involvement:

Project:

The project involves renovating and expanding the Central PDC (Probation and Detention Center) in Caldwell, Georgia.

Scope of Work:

The project includes:

• • Renovating an existing 26,978 square foot facility.

• • Designing two new 12,850 square foot housing units.

• • Designing a new 8,400 square foot gymnasium building.

• • Designing a new 4,500 square foot vocational education building.

• • Designing 3,500 square feet of medical offices.

• • Designing outdoor recreation space.

DeKalb County officials and members of DeKalb County Fire and Rescue (DCFR) recently celebrated the completion of the county’s newest fire station, marking a significant investment in public safety infrastructure. The modern facility is designed to enhance emergency response capabilities and better serve the surrounding community. Contract Business Interiors, Inc. (CBI) provided comprehensive furniture solutions to support the station’s operational needs, including workstations, lounge areas, and specialized furnishings for training and administrative spaces. The project reflects the county’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and the well-being of its first responders.

Scope: CBI outfitted private offices, conference rooms, training rooms, break rooms, open-plan workstations, lobbies, seating areas, and filing systems within a 6,200-square-foot space.

Scope: This 15,000-square-foot project included private offices, conference rooms, training rooms, observation rooms, open-plan workstations, children’s furniture, lobbies, and seating areas.