The [new] Rural Studio: Hale County Animal Shelter

[Image: Entrance of Dog Pound]
I have been an admirer of the work of the Rural Studio from the time I learned about their work as a tike in school. The architecture developed within the walls of the studio incorporates a certain visual appeal while providing practicality in use. Since the programs early beginnings under the late architectural patriarch Samuel ‘Sambo’ Mockbee, the scope of the program [as well as my interest in what they do] has not diminished a bit.
One would state that though the forms may not be as elaborate in exterior form as others shown here in the past, the technical precession of the overall work has increased tremendously. This has partly to do with the use of three-dimensional programs in aiding specific design constructs. With all the changes and new challenges faced within the work the Rural Studio is taking on, I still hesitate to call it ‘new,’ because the major focus on helping those who are in actual need [from community projects to personal residencies] continues to remain at the forefront of all new endeavors. The students continue to facilitate the mass of the project themselves, from choosing from a list of potential beneficiaries in the early stages and ‘soliciting’ for donations of materials and money, to drafting and construction of the final design. The success of the Rural Studio in all literal senses remains in the hands of its very capable students.
As a follow up of sorts, I bring to the MNP masses the Hale County Animal Shelter [‘Dog Pound’] from the [New] Rural Studio.

[Image: Alt. Entry Photo of Dog Pound]
Hale County Animal Shelter, 2007
Project Team: Jeff Bazzell, Julieta Collart, Lana Farkas, Connely Farr [fall '05 - summer '07]

[Image: Structural Detail]
Can someone say Shigeru Ban? In all seriousness, one would believe the man had some kind of inspiration on the structural design of the form that swoops over the animal shelter’s cages, offices, and examination rooms. Anyway…

[Image: Interior Kennel Space]
The ‘Dog Pound’ [as it is referred to locally] is an animal shelter located in Greensboro, Hale County, the epicenter of Rural Studio work throughout the years. As stipulated in state of Alabama legislature, each county in the state must provide at least one shelter. And so the project was born. The four thesis students [mentioned above] came up with the design scheme, gathered the necessary building materials and cash donations [upwards of 100,000 dollars combined] to make the project a reality, and lent their cooperative efforts to the actual construction [note: each student had no previous construction experience]. In the end, the students graced Hale County and the architectural world with a structure that warrants at least a second glance.

[Image: Architectural Plan and Section]
A repeating diamond structure called a lamella acts as both roof and wall for the dog pound. The simple look of the form from the exterior hides the exposed structure seen within. The identical 2×8 joists were precut and curved by a jig, and a simple pin connection was used to hold the pieces in place. Taking a page from the prefabrication handbook, the students cut down on overall material costs by creating a standard, and repeat the process over and again.

[Image: Steel Leg Detail]
The structure is perched off the ground by custom designed steel legs [made from two pieces of steel welded to one another] anchored to concrete strip footings. The floor in which the animal kennels rest on is a concrete slab that stays warm in the winter months thanks to an incorporated radiant heating system. Air, ventilation, and natural light are provided by the open-ends of the design. More natural light floods the interior through three Plexiglas-banded openings in the aluminum shell.

[Image: Dog Pound at dusk]
Though this is a departure from how things used to be created in terms of materiality (one person’s junk is another person’s treasure sort of thing), the original goal of the Sambo’s Rural Studio is certainly ever present. I can only hope there will be even bigger works in line for the studio, as well as a continued tendency to provide services to those in need. Let’s be better individuals everyday we wake up, ninjas.
Introduction photo by Trent Gilliss, interior photo, architectural plan and section, and dusk photo by Timothy Hursley (provided for Architect magazine article, November 2007), and entrance, structural detail and steel leg detail photos found on the Halperin & Christ blog.
As an aside check out the book, Design Like You Give A Damn by Architecture for Humanity. We just got a copy of it in our office for xmas and I’m already diggin’ it.
[[Post by MNP contributing editor Dubs, the Shogun of Norwalk]]
Feelin it? See more projects by Rural Studio on architecture.MNP:
Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Mason’s Bend Community Center
Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Yancey Chapel
Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Akron Boys and Girls Club
Related posts:
- Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Akron Boys and Girls Club
- Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Mason’s Bend Community Center
- Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio: Yancey Chapel
- Documentary: SNAKEBIT
- RCR Arquitectes : Casa Rural
Posted: January 11th, 2008
at 8:34am by Dubs
Categories: architecture, featured ninjas, green arch, pre-fab, student, tech
Comments: 13 comments
13 Responses to 'The [new] Rural Studio: Hale County Animal Shelter'
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More awesome work from the Rural Studio crowd…
I don’t get the time to sit and read all the design magazines so thank you for blogging this. congrats to Jeff, Julieta, Lana and Connely.
keep on, keeping on.
Cheers Cameron, AFH.
Cameron Sinclair
11 Jan 08 at 2:43 pm
Ok, I visit Rural Studio’s Website, and I like it…
But i Think that they are so… Manierist?
Interesting the tecnologies, and another perspective too, but i wait from almost one masterpiece…
PEJA
11 Jan 08 at 7:35 pm
Thanks Cameron! Its cool to head from the co-founder of an organization as siiick as AFH. Keep up the great work over there, my ninja.
I have to say, PEJA, I don’t know where you’re coming from really with the ‘manierist’ comment, but I see what you mean about ‘one masterpiece’ – however, I’d argue that the point of Rural Studio is that they’re not looking for a singular masterpiece in their work, but instead for elegant architectural solutions to the needs of regular people [those who wouldn't normally have an architect involved in their work].
orangemenace
13 Jan 08 at 8:07 pm
thank you both, oreangemenace and cameron!
i am having trouble with the “manierist” term also, but i did look it up and i have to say,i
learned something today;)
what i’ve found, and i can only speak for myself, is that “good” architecture is derived of place and people, need and opportunity. the tendency for us, as a culture, to look for “masterpieces” takes away from architecture that is timeless and gives us buildings that are more novelty than anything else. and while novelty can be beautiful, beauty doesn’t always equal good.
while out at Rural, we often had discussions about this “good” vs. “beautiful” thing and it is really wonderful to have people there that can bring the reality of context into a conversation, and challenge us to do what is right instead of what might be more architectural. what results are buildings and spaces that respond directly to the needs of the client, or in our case, the community.
best regards,
connely
Connely Farr (Dog Pound)
13 Jan 08 at 8:46 pm
Wow, it’s great to hear from so many people on one post…
Connely – I think you’ve got it exactly right. ‘Novelty’ in architecture, rather than actual ‘good design’, has taken the forefront – and it makes architecture inaccessible to people who aren’t interested in design as an intellectual/academic exercise. I think Rural Studio is awesome for it’s being so ‘down to earth’, while having great designs at the same time.
Funny that you guys are unique for what you said – “buildings and spaces that respond directly to the needs of the client, or in our case, the community”. You’d think that would be the goal of more designers.
orangemenace
13 Jan 08 at 9:13 pm
you know, I realized (after it was too late) last semester that architectural education (at least for me) steers me towards making a statement rather than impact of what I impliment. Thinking out of the box is great, but to really make a difference you have to design for the people. You have to design something that works.
Great discussion guys. I plan to check out “Design like you give a game” too. The title was always striking and inspiring.
Mark Anthony
13 Jan 08 at 10:45 pm
Well Mark, be glad you figured it out before you graduated at least – that’s more than a lot of people can say.
Don’t let that drag you down tho, either. I know there were people that I went to school with who worked internships or what have you, and seemed to realize the ‘reality’ that can be the architectural profession – and it definitely had a negative impact [in my opinion] on the way they designed. Its important that you find some kind of happy medium [for example, like Rural Studio - altho they're not the only example of this] between practicality and innovative/unique designs.
orangemenace
14 Jan 08 at 7:09 am
Thank you, Connely, for your response, as i wasn’t even sure yourself or anyone in your project team would know this post went up on your work. It’s not the reason i did the post, but one can only hope to get feedback from a person with direct knowledge of a project, such as the Dog Pound.
What you’re saying about novelty in architecture holds true. Man, do i agree with that 110 percent. Look in any architectural magazine each month and find a Gehry project that reminds you of 5 other Gehry projects he’s done [sorry that i keep ragging on him, but about 50 percent of his work is worthwhile for me]. Mags’ eat that stuff up [and i admittedly still do too] cause of the ‘beauty’ factor. Is it necessary? Gehry would make you believe so, but if he’s just draping a ’skin’ over boxes, then what is he truly accomplishing architecturally? Certainly it all has to mean more. And again, he COULD make you believe so. But i’ll continue to question it.
I tend to rant, so i’ll stop now, but i would just like to personally thank you again for dropping some of your knowledge on this impromptu chat. THANK YOU! What you helped create with the Dog Pound is everlasting for me. It’s a driving force and partly helps remind me of what i enjoy about GOOD architecture. All the best in life’s adventures.
Also, let us know about what you are up to now [if you've committed to a firm yet, and if so, if you have any new exciting projects in the works or anything completed you feel is worthwhile for the architectural community to know about]. the scope of work on arch.MNP is all encompassing (even some Gehry once in a while, too].
Dubs
14 Jan 08 at 10:20 pm
thanks dubs,
i am actualy in vancouver, bc right now looking for a “real” job. i, by chance, came through this city a few months ago and was amazed at a number of things. the surroundings are definitely beautiful, but i’ve found a sense of community that is very strong here. there are a number of great designers here: patkau, tony robins, robert burgers, molo design… and you can walk through town and find little jewels of architecture.
since i don’t have a job yet, the only projects i’ve been working on right now are new songs to sing for open mics around here;)
http://www.myspace.com/ConnelyFarr
(had to throw that in there!!) keep up the great work. this site is amazing! thank you very much for the article.
Connely Farr (Dog Pound)
15 Jan 08 at 12:52 am
Connely:
Seeing these pictures and reading all the information about your design thrilled me beyond words. You are surely a brilliant architect.
With so much pride,
Your Grandmother
Marilyn Plunkett
16 Jan 08 at 12:41 pm
Connely-
Enjoyed seeing the finished product-y’all have “come a long way baby” since I last visited your worksite in Hale Co. The Dogpound looks great and it was awesome reading the details. Proud of you, miss you, and best of luck finding a job with an architectural firm. Can’t wait to come see ya!!
Love ya-
Your “across the road family” in Bolton, MS.
MaryBeth Grogan-White
16 Jan 08 at 3:57 pm
Connely,
We are so proud of all that you have dedicated yourself to, the goals you have set and accomplished and your team’s dedicated efforts to achieve those creations that others doubted you would be able to do. This building to “shelter the animals” is truly amazing. Congrats on the publicity and have a great 30th Happy Birthday on Monday.
Love you forever, Mom and Dad
Mom
18 Jan 08 at 3:26 pm
nice work.
david blair
19 Oct 08 at 6:22 pm