Nika Foundation Animal сare сentre

Together with Nika Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping animals, FORM has developed a concept for a new kind of Animal Care Centre.

This is more than a shelter. It is an attempt to change the way society sees homeless animals through architecture, space and a new culture of care. We believe that a new kind of shelter should be about more than rescue. It should also be about education. Not a culture of pity, but a culture of care. A place that helps break down barriers and overcome fears, explaining not only what we can do, but why it matters. A place where people and animals become part of the same community.

The architecture begins with those it was created for. Three archetypes lie at the heart of the concept: the dog, the cat and the human. The dog represents horizontality and forward movement. The cat represents verticality, individuality and a spirit of exploration. The human represents the circle — our desire to come together and build a sense of community. These ideas shape the character of the buildings. Long, horizontal volumes housing dog enclosures and landscaped outdoor areas sit alongside the three-storey Cat House, the vertical landmark and focal point of the complex. The folded façades evoke origami, while the outlines of the buildings suggest animal silhouettes. Different materials and colours give each volume its own identity.

The Centre is designed as a place people want to return to. At its heart is a shared public space connecting the veterinary clinic, Cat House, administrative wing and volunteer centre. The central lobby, with its reception, café and shop, becomes a meeting point from which visitors can access each functional area. At the same time, visitor and staff circulation is kept separate, while spaces for the animals are designed around their needs for care, comfort and safety.

Natural materials, soft tones and daylight create the feeling of home — perhaps a temporary one, but a real home nonetheless. Care is reflected in every detail, from the layout of the enclosures to the landscaped areas for walks and play.

The landscape extends this idea beyond the buildings. There is room for walks, gatherings and relaxation, as well as an open-air amphitheatre and public spaces where families can spend time together. A café with a library, lectures, workshops and expert consultations make the Centre welcoming to anyone who wants to learn more about animals. It is a place to meet them, better understand their behaviour and perhaps find a friend to take home.

We believe architecture can change not only the spaces we inhabit, but also the way we relate to the world around us. This project is our contribution to a future where caring for animals becomes the norm, not the exception. An Animal Care Centre — a place where we learn what it means to be human.

The project was developed as part of Nika Foundation’s participation in T-Bank’s charitable initiative, Kurs Dobra.