Nicholas Hare one of three practices shortlisted in RSPCA competition

Nicholas Hare's scheme for the RSPCA welfare centre of the future

Nicholas Hare’s scheme for the RSPCA welfare centre of the future

The RIBA has announced the three shortlisted architects charged with designing the “animal welfare centre of the future”.

The shortlist is Nicholas Hare Architects; Gabbitas Gill Partnership’s collaboration with Hull-headquartered Fresh Design International and London-based Alma-Nac.

The RSPCA, which with RIBA jointly chose the three practices, said it wanted the centres to provide the best possible environment to care for animals who have had the worst start in life.

Alma-nac visuals for RSPCA animale welfare centre of the future

Alma-nac visuals for RSPCA animale welfare centre of the future

The charity’s deputy chief executive Chris Wainwright said: “We think these firms have some really interesting ideas and we look forward to selecting the winner and seeing their design benefit thousands of animals in the future.”

The RSPCA said any building should have animal welfare “at its heart” and that it wanted to encourage the use of modular construction techniques in the resulting centres, moving away from more traditional building methods.

Gabbitas Gill Partnership's scheme for the RSPCA animal welfare centre of the future

Gabbitas Gill Partnership’s scheme for the RSPCA animal welfare centre of the future

Other criteria included accessibility for users and staff, use of sustainable building materials and all animal accommodation built in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the RSPCA’s licensing conditions.