We designed a new dog adoption facility for Champ’s Chance, a nonprofit in Monticello, Florida, caring for more than 150 dogs. The existing shelter was overcrowded and faced pest problems, necessitating relocation to a new site. Our project addressed the need for adequate space while maintaining dog comfort and operational efficiency for staff and volunteers.
We developed a comprehensive site plan for the 21-acre property in Jefferson County. The site’s topography significantly influenced our placement of buildings, access roads, and stormwater management systems. We reclassified the site to enable construction while preserving the existing house, and designed parking for the approximately 8,000-square-foot facility to include 14 to 35 spaces, one meeting accessibility requirements, per local building codes.
Because the original entrance utilized a privately owned neighboring road, we designed a new access road complying with Florida Department of Transportation and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards. We positioned a retention pond at the site’s lowest elevation in the southeast area to manage stormwater runoff and protect nearby wetlands.
Our primary solution uses repurposed shipping containers for dog kennels, mounted on concrete pads and covered with shed and gabled roofs. We selected the shed design to follow the natural slope and reduce construction costs. The facility incorporates various container sizes to create dedicated spaces for healthy dogs, birthing cottages, and puppies, providing the adoption center, kennels, and training areas needed to support Champ’s Chance’s mission while addressing the organization’s spatial and operational challenges.