From Airstream moved to a pontoon boat, the doghouse layouts in this year’s Barkitecture fundraiser in Austin, Texas, combined lovers of architecture and animals for fun and a good cause. Twenty Austin architects, designers and builders showcased their four-legged-scale designs in the downtown 2nd Street District on Nov. 10, 2012.
The annual fundraiser, hosted by Animal Lovers of Austin Inc., benefits local animal rescue groups. Austinites have the chance to bid on the houses, together with the silent auction starting at $250 and increasing at $50 increments. Let’s have a peek at a few of this year’s creativity.
Kara Mosher
The Greenest Design award went into the Rex Box, created using a metal roof, solar panels, recycled materials and sliding doors. Developed by Francois Levy and built by Newcastle Homes, this green residence is comparable to many “individuals” homes made in East Austin. One neat feature is the chimney, which will help to keep the inside cool.
Kara Mosher
Among the most exciting layouts in the event was the Sea Woof — a pet lounge area designed just like a pontoon boat, complete with dog-size life preservers. Created by STG Design, this doghouse won the Most Unusual Design award.
Kara Mosher
The designers in Renewal Design Lab won the award for Greatest Backyard Bungalow. Aptly named Big Dog Little Dog, this house has two entrances to accommodate two puppy dimensions.
Kara Mosher
Like many of the additional doghouses, it was also generated from salvaged materials.
Kara Mosher
Clark/Richardson Architects earned the Greatest Urban Dwelling award using this creative Murphy bed doghouse. Murphy’s Paw folds into the wall, making more free space in the house and helping the bed stay clean. The modern and clean design was motivated by the actual home where it will be set.
Kara Mosher
Kara Mosher
The Barkelow created by EIX & Blackwell offers a whole lot of home for small dogs. As winner of the Largest Fundraiser award, this elegant doghouse isn’t just comfy, but also luxurious with billowy canopy drapes and a very small chandelier to boot. This pomeranian appears to concur.
Kara Mosher
This year’s Best in Show was a combined effort between engineering from Block Research Group and design from Escobedo Construction. Made of a fabricated limestone which is held together by sheer compression, the Doggone Vault‘s design is both secure and watertight.
It also sections the space into a “bedroom” and “dining room” space. The kitchen is positioned in the center, where a little water bowl was created by a dip in the design. The water comes from rain.
Kara Mosher
Created by Austin Community College students of the Architectural and Engineering CAD Department, the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Tailiesin SXSW won Largest Student Fundraiser. All materials for this piece repurposed or were contributed.
Kara Mosher
If I had been a little puppy, my first choice is this traveling puppy’s dream made by AJM Construction. The Woof-Stream is created of local recycled materials such as sheet metal and wood and replicates the design of a traditional Airstream.
Kara Mosher
Gensler made this Dog Cube Condo, a sustainable home created to withstand the Texas heat. This simple design is made of stainless steel, perforated metal mesh and ipe wood.
Kara Mosher
A gorgeous and one of a kind signature to the Cube Condo is a low-water rooftop planting suited to your Texas climate.
Kara Mosher
This quaint puppy farmhouse from Henley Homes is outfitted with a front porch, swing, dormer window and white picket fence.
Kara Mosher
This design attracted the attention of many dogs. Created by RRS Construction, it features one of Austin’s coolest exterior features, the color sail.
Kara Mosher
Exercise Design Group is in charge of this Puppy Playscape, created to be a space for the two dogs and their human counterparts to enjoy. The design offers minimal cleanup, a flexible roof and an enjoyable place for dogs to play.
Kara Mosher
Among my visually favorite layouts and what appeared to be among the most functional houses was this open house house by Hatch+Ulland Owenmade with ipe hardwood floors and polygal ceiling.
Does your pet have a great house, too? Post a photo below!