ABOUT US
Shelter Architecture Unleashed has planned and designed a diverse portfolio of animal care facilities across the country, from targeted renovations and facility expansions to comprehensive campus master plans and new construction exceeding 25,000 square feet.
Shelter Design Experience You Can Rely On
Shelter Architecture Unleashed is dedicated exclusively to the planning and design of animal care facilities. Our firm is entirely focused on creating innovative, functional, and mission-driven environments for animal shelters, humane societies, animal control facilities, veterinary hospitals, specialty referral centers, emergency hospitals, and animal welfare organizations throughout the United States.
Our Principal Architect
Roger Layman, AIA, NCARB, has provided architectural services for animal shelter and veterinary hospitals across the country, including North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia. His innovative ideas and attention to detail enable him to successfully manage projects of all sizes and complexity.
With over 35 years of architecture experience, Roger has completed a variety of project types, including medical and multi-story office buildings, hospitals, churches, and numerous restaurants and retail facilities. He has successfully led these projects through design, bidding, permitting, and construction administration.
At Shelter Architecture Unleashed, Roger combines a love for animals with his passion for design. His goal is to collaborate and get input from you and your entire staff in order to create a welcoming and healthy environment. By including exceptional attention to daylight, durability, proper ventilation and aesthetics, the result will be an amazing atmosphere for your clients and their pets.
Shelter Design Experience
Specialized Shelter Architectural Services
- Municipal animal shelters and animal control facilities
- Humane societies and adoption centers
- Veterinary hospitals and companion animal clinics
- Emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals
- Spay and neuter clinics
- Shelter medical facilities
- Facility programming and operational assessments
- Campus master planning
- Facility expansions and renovations
- Existing facility evaluations
- Interior design and finish selection
- Building systems coordination
- Construction administration and owner representation
Areas Of Shelter Design Expertise
- Shelter operational planning
- Facility design requirements
- Long-term sustainability considerations
- Veterinary hospital design
- Animal intake and adoption planning (Needs Assessment Study)
- Disease control
- Isolation and quarantine planning
- Animal housing system integration
- Fear Free® and low-stress design principles
- Acoustical control for animal housing
- Ventilation strategies for infection prevention
- Durable, low-maintenance building materials
- Public education and community engagement spaces
- Staff wellness and workplace design
- Inspection requirement considerations.
Your Vision Is Our Mission
Shelter Architecture Unleashed is an experienced firm led by a single architect, supported by a trusted network of architects, engineers, and designers engaged as each project requires. Roger Layman has intentionally maintained a small, agile practice that allows him to stay personally involved in every aspect of the work — ensuring careful budget management and meticulous attention to detail from concept through completion.
The value of having an experienced animal services design firm lead the team is that we are thoroughly familiar with space needs and functions of the shelter organization, interior and exterior finishes, mechanical, air handling and plumbing systems, kennel types and manufacturers, acoustic and noise control methods, as well as health, safety, and code requirements relevant to animal housing.
Unleash The Possibilities For Your New Animal Shelter
Do not wait to involve us in your animal shelter project. Our years of experience in this specific field can prove invaluable. When you contact us early in your planning process, we can assist with:
Renderings For Fundraising Efforts
Needs Assessments
Conceptual Master Plan
Preliminary Cost Estimating
Building Programming
Permitting Processes
Site Selection
Demographic Support
Convenience For Clients And Staff
Future Growth Assessment
Topography, Access, Easements, Right Of Ways
Utilities, Survey, And Zoning Considerations
Signage
Let Shelter Architecture Unleashed help guide the planning and design of your shelter or kennel. Call us at (704) 756-3540.