New McLean County Animal Services Building

Farnsworth Group and expert consultant Animal Arts provided full-service architectural and engineering design and construction administration for a replacement McLean County Animal Services building, which outgrew its previous structure.

The new 11,400 SF building was constructed on a rural, sylvan parcel south of Bloomington, allowing employees and animals a closer connection to nature. The building was designed primarily as a low-stress environment for the animals and staff members’ well-being. This is critical for both facility functions – low-stress animal control and quick turnaround for animal adoption. Impervious or seamless surfaces and mechanical ventilation compartmentalization restrict the spread of disease, keeping the animals healthy and leading to shorter lengths of stay. However, hard surfaces, while more cleanable, can contribute to noisy environments. To lessen stressful ambient noise, the design incorporated acoustical panels, physical separation of kennels, and cautious placement of mechanical systems.

The design features and increased building capacity will allow the agency to perform its duties more effectively and keep animals happier and healthier as they await adoption.