A pawsome attention to every need

The project is located on an eight-acre brownfield site and comprises a campus of strategically located pavilion buildings. The buildings to the north are open to the public, offering training, rehoming services with conference facilities. These buildings are focused around a feature 'Piazza' providing a pedestrian link between the buildings and a place for people to meet. The 'working' buildings are reserved for training and rehabilitation.

The heart of the development is the main reception structure, which contains kennels, education areas, a veterinary wing and conference/meeting room facilities, along with specialist and ancillary spaces. The development also includes a Stray Reclaim building, which will help to reunite lost dogs with their owners.

Contemporary and exciting…but not lavish

The Dog Trust’s primary yellow corporate identity is picked out strongly on feature walls and other elements, whilst most exterior elevations and interiors adhere to whites and greys and a limited number of materials.

Oliver Henshall of Cardiff-based project architects, Powell Dobson, spoke about the project, “Because the Dog’s Trust is a charity we were mindful that, while creating contemporary and exciting architecture and interiors, neither should appear as if money had been lavished on them. After all, the dogs should always be the priority in terms of funding allocation. With that in mind, we liked the idea of leaving the services exposed, dressing internals with just the essentials. Rockfon Eclipse® Islands were the ideal choice in terms of helping create a sharp, modern aesthetic while offering superior sound control.”

Dogs Trust Cardiff Deputy Manager, Kim Davies, “The building looks wonderful, with the ceilings suspended between the lighting really setting off the space and looking fabulous.”

The Dogs Trust

Nettlefold Rd,
Cardiff CF24 5JQ
United Kingdom

An acousticians’ best friend

At the Dogs Trust, elegant 40mm thick, 2360x1160mm, frameless acoustic islands are suspended by wires, but Eclipse can also be installed using a suspended grid or fixed directly to the soffit. Their smooth, deep matt, super white surface has anti-static properties, which extend product life. They are perfect for thermal mass applications and absorb sound on both sides, reducing reverberation time while improving ambient sound levels. Eclipse can be supplied in various shapes and colours to enhance design freedom and is also available as a wall panel, where extra sound absorption combined with design options is required.

Rockfon Specification Manger Rowan Green, “All Rockfon acoustic systems are made from naturally occurring inert volcanic rock (stone wool), are non-combustible and will not harbour harmful microorganisms and bacteria. They have a high recycled content, are fully recyclable and are certified to leave a positive impact on people and the planet as our latest Cradle to Cradle certification confirms.”

Because the Dog’s Trust is a charity we were mindful that, while creating contemporary and exciting architecture and interiors, neither should appear as if money had been lavished on them. After all, the dogs should always be the priority in terms of funding allocation. With that in mind, we liked the idea of leaving the services exposed, dressing internals with just the essentials. Rockfon Eclipse® Islands were the ideal choice in terms of helping create a sharp, modern aesthetic while offering superior sound control.

Oliver Henshall

United Kingdom
Architect - Powell Dobson
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Dogs Trust - more project pictures

Location:Cardiff, United Kingdom
Architect:Powell Dobson
Installer:McPhillips Ltd
Photographer:Powell Dobson supplied
Tiles:Rockfon Eclipse®
Dimensions:2360 x 1160

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