Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Kurnell, NSW

In the heart of Kurnell, a vision to expand the horizons of pet care and housing materialised through the construction of a dedicated animal housing facility. The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home project was driven by a simple yet profound need: to offer more accommodation for pets in the area, either for rehabilitation or rehoming.

Delivering structural engineering services, NDY’s task was to help bring this vision to life across 8 single storey buildings, with a mix of 6 steel structures and 2 demountables that are designed to be as welcoming as they are functional. Each building was crafted to maximise kennel space within a defined budget, focusing on creating safe, durable housing for pets.

Our role covered the entire structural scope for the 6 permanent buildings and specifically the foundational support for the demountables. Designed with efficiency and durability in mind, our engineering solutions fostered a facility that can withstand the practicalities of daily operations, particularly the need for frequent cleaning without compromising the integrity of the structures.

Our engineering strategies included adding more rod bracing to the structures, which effectively spread the load across the buildings and reduced the required volume of foundations. This not only minimised the use of concrete but also significantly cut costs. Additionally, we achieved significant savings by optimising the structural steel framing, reducing the overall weight (and therefore cost) of steel used in the project.

Critically, the ground conditions presented a layer of complexity, necessitating a careful selection of foundation types to suit the soil conditions. The use of engineering judgement was pivotal in addressing the risks associated with the ground conditions and loads, ensuring stability and durability.

One of the significant challenges we faced was the project’s proximity to an oil refinery, which imposed restrictions on construction techniques. Our team navigated these constraints, adapting our methods without compromising the project’s integrity or escalating costs. By employing standard and conventional construction techniques that minimised ground vibration, we ensured cost-effectiveness while allowing for a broad range of contractors to bid on the project.

The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home project delivers a practical, durable and affordable pet housing and rescue facility. This initiative goes beyond merely providing accommodation for animals; it addresses a pressing need within the Sydney community for similar facilities, offering a second chance for our furry friends.