A new animal rescue center was built in Charleston, which is a neighborhood in Staten Island, New York City. The structure was designed and erected by local firm Garrison Architects who focused on maximizing the influx of light into the space. The Staten Island Animal Rescue Center is wrapped in polycarbonate. This allows for light to be diffused evenly within the interior. Through its architectural decisions, the firm hoped to facilitate less of a hospital environment and more of a homely one—a popular goal for many contemporary projects in the healthcare and rescue sector. The building even has a playful yellow accent at the front that captures attention.
Garrison Architects worked on this project on a tight budget and used local materials, prioritizing upcycling,
Image Credit: Eduard Hueber
What's Driving This Trend
- Light-diffusing Architecture
- There is an opportunity for architects to design structures that maximize the influx of light into spaces using materials like polycarbonate, which diffuses light evenly within the interior.
- Homely Healthcare Spaces
- There is an opportunity to create less of a hospital environment and more of a homely one in healthcare buildings using architectural decisions, like those used in the Staten Island Animal Rescue Center.
- Budget-friendly Design
- There is an opportunity for firms to focus on upcycling and using local materials to complete projects on tight budgets, like Garrison Architects did with the Staten Island Animal Rescue Center.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture
- Architects can implement light-diffusing materials and homely design decisions in various buildings, particularly in the healthcare and rescue sectors.
- Healthcare
- There is an opportunity to create more homely environments for patients in healthcare buildings using techniques similar to those used in the Staten Island Animal Rescue Center.
- Sustainability
- There is an opportunity for firms to focus on upcycling and local materials to complete projects on tight budgets, promoting sustainable building practices.
