S&T architectural engineering students to present designs for new Rolla animal shelter

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On November 29, 2017

Students in the architectural engineering design course at Missouri University of Science and Technology have created 15 potential designs for the future Rolla Animal Shelter, and they will present six of those plans to the public prior to the start of the Dec. 4, Rolla City Council meeting.

The presentation, which is open to the public, will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, in the lobby of City Hall, located at 901 N. Elm St. in Rolla.

“The current Rolla Animal Shelter facility has served our community for over 40 years,” says John Butz, Rolla city administrator. “While the facility and its staff have done a tremendous job serving the community, the building itself has numerous challenges, and continued operation on a long-term basis is prohibitive.

“An opportunity has presented itself as a former resident of the community, Robert Eck, designated $441,000 to be used in the caring of animals,” Butz says. “This donation is a considerable step toward funding the estimated $1.2 million project.”

Plans to raise the additional funds through other venues are underway, and organizers believe they would benefit from design suggestions to help prospective donors visualize the new facility.

“This has been a very engaging project for the design students, requiring them to first meet with and listen to the needs of their client, research new animal shelters from around the country, and determine the number and type of spaces needed for the animals to be housed there,” says Dr. Stuart Baur, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri S&T. “The students developed their own designs to best incorporate this information.”

Each year, architectural engineering faculty look for projects the students will be excited about. Baur says the animal shelter project was a great fit.

A total of 39 students divided into 15 groups created projects. Because of time and space limitations, six were selected for public presentation. Projects to be presented include:

  • “The Four Corners” concept is based on the four points of service the animal shelter will cover – safety, animals, community and family. The concept was designed by Delsey Jett, a senior in architectural engineering and civil engineering from West Plains, Missouri, and Kristen Ross, a senior in architectural engineering from Rolla, Missouri.
  • The “Rescue Me” concept is based on the close proximity of the proposed shelter site to the Rolla Rural Firehouse and the understanding that the shelter will continue to serve the community in the care of its animals. The concept was designed by Mitchell Zimmerman, a senior in civil engineering and architectural engineering from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Robert Craft, a senior in architectural engineering from Liberty, Missouri.
  • The “A Light in the Darkness” concept reflects the idea that the animal shelter should serve as a place of transition of new beginnings. The concept was designed by Margaret Albert, a junior in architectural engineering from Jefferson City, Missouri; Baylee Godat, a senior in architectural engineering from Union, Missouri; and Madison Moore, a senior in architectural engineering from Jackson, Missouri.
  • The “Back to the Wild” concept is based on the idea that the animal shelter is a place designed for going back to nature and finding the right type of balance between humans and animals. It was designed by Haiquan Zheng, a junior in mechanical engineering from Ashland, Missouri, and Mahir Kablic, a junior in architectural engineering from St. Louis.
  • The “Pet Town” concept features the exterior architectural charm of a small-town main street that provides movement into an interior “pet town” that gives potential pet owners a quaint and comfortable experience. The concept was designed by Zach Lewis, a senior in architectural engineering from Palmyra, Missouri; Caleb Strickland, a senior in architectural engineering from Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Emily Hutcheson, a junior in architectural engineering from Rolla, Missouri.
  • The “Animal Lodge” concept was based on a lodge that features design elements inspired by traditional Japanese architecture. The concept was designed by Duncan Chappell, a senior in architectural engineering from Maryville, Missouri; Jonathan Cureton, a junior in architectural engineering from Rolla, Missouri; and Josh Insco, a senior in architectural engineering from Richwoods, Missouri.

“The students see it as a great way to give back to the community,” says Heath Pickerill, adjunct professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri S&T. “And the city of Rolla has been very supportive of our efforts.”

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On November 29, 2017. Posted in News

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One thought on “S&T architectural engineering students to present designs for new Rolla animal shelter”

  • Diane says:

    That is wonderful, the new animal shelter. I know it’s outdated. I tried to improve the shelter. From the 8ft x 10ft Lil garden shed office, what I had in the 80’s to the office where it is today. Congratulations Rolla. Sure hope a good design is picked. My motto has always been “Animal control, begins with the owners”.