Evanston Animal Shelter
Evanston, Illinois
"This new facility will finally give our animals the space they deserve while allowing us to expand our community programs, including volunteer opportunities and education initiatives. We're excited for what this means for Evanston's future."
—Vicky Pasenko, Executive Director
The Evanston Animal Shelter reimagines what an animal shelter can be—not simply a place of temporary refuge, but a civic resource that advances animal welfare, public health, and community care. Designed to replace an outdated 1970s facility, the project combines behavioral science, operational efficiency, and compassionate design to create an environment where animals experience less stress, staff can provide a higher standard of care, and the community is more deeply connected to the adoption process.
The previous shelter had reached the limits of its ability to serve both animals and the community. Aging infrastructure, inadequate medical facilities, limited isolation capabilities, and undersized spaces prevented staff from providing the length and quality of care many animals required before adoption. The new facility was conceived to address these shortcomings while expanding services to include wildlife intake, medical treatment, foster support, short-term surrender, and a community pet-food pantry.
Every aspect of the building was informed by animal behavior and welfare. Species-specific mechanical systems prevent the transfer of airborne disease while allowing dogs and cats to occupy environments tailored to their unique behavioral needs. Acoustics were carefully engineered to reduce stress, using strategically placed support spaces and insulated glazing to separate dog and cat areas without sacrificing visibility. Daylighting was equally intentional, with clerestory windows calming dogs by limiting outside distractions while deep window perches provide enrichment and observation opportunities for cats.
Beyond the building itself, the project reflects a broader commitment to community stewardship. Construction was carefully phased so adoption and intake services never ceased, requiring temporary facilities and close coordination between the City of Evanston, the Evanston Animal Shelter Association, and Cook County. The completed shelter now serves as a regional resource, strengthening connections between residents, volunteers, animal welfare organizations, and wildlife services while creating an inviting civic presence along a prominent community corridor.
Quality control was central to the project's execution. Every brick in the masonry façade was coordinated within the digital model, and full-scale mockups were repeatedly built, reviewed, and even dismantled until they met the team's exacting standards—a level of craftsmanship rarely seen on civic projects.
The building was designed around animal psychology—not just human circulation. Every major planning decision, from species-separated ventilation and acoustic buffering to the placement of windows and support spaces, was guided by research into animal behavior. Dogs receive controlled clerestory daylight that minimizes visual triggers, while cats enjoy elevated window perches and quiet environments that reduce stress and improve adoptability, demonstrating how architecture can directly influence animal health and behavior.
During construction, work was temporarily adjusted to protect a family of nesting Killdeer—a migratory bird species protected under a century-old international treaty. The project also incorporates bird-friendly glass to help protect migratory birds long after construction was complete.
