Hachiko

The client wishes to realize a canine therapy center within an existing warehouse of approximately 1.250sqm, as well as an adjacent office building of around 120sqm. The warehouse has a loading dock on the north side of the site. The program of demands comprises about 850sqm of built-up area consisting of a multipurpose room of 225sqm, 285sqm of dog facilities, 115sqm of office space, 185sqm of storage space as well as a concierge home. We suggest positioning the double height training room for dogs centrally within the building. The offices, the polyvalent hall, the kennels and all logistics facilities are grouped around the training hall. The concierge is housed within the adjacent building (STEP 1).

The office spaces are partially bevelled to mark an entry hall, acting as a glass in between space for both buildings (STEP 2). The polyvalent hall on the south-east side is partially rotated to create an adjacent covered terrace (STEP 3). The kennels are angled. This creates an indoor play area for the dogs (STEP 4). On the north side, the volume is also bevelled, resulting in a covered loading and unloading space for delivery of goods (STEP 5). The result is a pentagonal volume that is linked to the concierge home by a glass in between space. The existing volumes are thus virtually untouched, with the exception of the glass entrance hall, as well as the roof extension on top of the training hall, providing sufficient daylight into the building (STEP 6).