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Doghouses Worth a Wag: Report From Barkitecture 2011
Annual fundraiser sniffs out the best — and quirkiest — in Austin doghouse design
You've never seen doghouses quite like these before: a dog-sized country cottage, wine barrel bungalow, mini Zen house with roof garden, salvage-chic doghouse and even a Mondrian-like house inspired by a beloved dog treat (a rib). All those and many more clever designs were on show last weekend at Austin's Barkitecture, a fundraising showcase and auction of doghouses created by mostly Austin-based architects, designers and builders.
Hosted by the Animal Lovers of Austin, Inc., and the communities of Edgewick and Gabardine, this annual fundraiser gives Austinites the opportunity to bid on doghouses (the silent auction began at $250 and increased by $50 increments), with proceeds benefiting local animal rescue groups. My personal favorites, and the winners:
Hosted by the Animal Lovers of Austin, Inc., and the communities of Edgewick and Gabardine, this annual fundraiser gives Austinites the opportunity to bid on doghouses (the silent auction began at $250 and increased by $50 increments), with proceeds benefiting local animal rescue groups. My personal favorites, and the winners:
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| Best in Show Cube House is a creation by Cesar Millan (of Dog Whisperer fame) in collaboration with Spring Builders, an Austin-based custom builder. I particularly liked the Zen roof garden and the high-contrast materials. |
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| Here's the Hound Hacinena by VII Custom Homes. Please note the front porch complete with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lantern and plantings on the side of the structure. Can you believe this is a doghouse? I almost can't. This one took the cake for me. And the materials used are so Austin. What a beaut! The sloped roof promotes water drainage while the little gutter collects water. |
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| I appreciated that no angle was neglected. Dogs can enjoy a large picture window on one side ... |
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| ... and little porthole windows in the back to help with airflow. |
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How Austin is this design by the Art Institute of Austin? Perhaps a bit literal, but oodles of fun nonetheless.
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| No missed opportunity on the other side. |
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| Inspired by the silhouette of QR codes, Jenkins Custom Homes and Bella Villa designed Ruff Quarters to incorporate technology with function. Using reclaimed materials from various job sites, the cutouts provide structural support while filtering light, not to mention adding sculptural dimension. FLOR provided the playful striped carpet. |
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| Enticing treats and a little pup portraiture never hurt anyone! |
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| La Casita del Sol was crafted mostly from wood leftover from the designer's own house. Repurposed beer bottles let in plenty of light. |
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| The Jetwood by Newcastle Homes was another personal favorite, crafted from steel flat stock remnants and birch-faced plywood. The roof provides shade and protection from rain. |
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| The organic jet-cut pattern adds to the sculptural and overall aesthetics of the house while creating a cooling air flow. |
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| RIB House 2.0, by Hamilton Associates, is a clever abstraction of a beloved dog treat: the rib. The ribbon-like roof allows for rainwater collection. |
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| I especially dug the Mondrian-esque cutouts and orange beams. |
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| Greenest Design went to Agave's environmentally-sensitive creation, Water-Cooled Wind Catcher, which took into consideration Austin's high-heat climate. Its waterfall and sunlight-mitigating louvers cool off toasty pups in summer and maximize warmth in winter. |
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| The winner of Most Unusual dog house by the Austin Community Collect chapter of the American Society for Education was, indeed, unusual, but it came complete with an accessible second story. Now, that's no joke! |
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| With this cutie, Stewart Construction took home Best Backyard Bungalow. |
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I think it's safe to say that The Ramp House speaks for itself. Kids and dogs alike had fun playing on this structure.
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Gensler's Wine Barrel Bungalow is the very definition of upcycling, the process of converting materials or products headed for the trash into something new and useful.
Spicewood Vinyards donated a barrel no longer capable for containing wine, while a walnut scrap became the front porch atop table legs from IKEA. A cushion inside provides a soft respite for weary canines. The succulant-heavy green roof is a low-maintenance, attractive topper.
Spicewood Vinyards donated a barrel no longer capable for containing wine, while a walnut scrap became the front porch atop table legs from IKEA. A cushion inside provides a soft respite for weary canines. The succulant-heavy green roof is a low-maintenance, attractive topper.
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Top Notch Renovations and Dawn Hearn Interior Design combined forces to create this Charming Cottage, which certainly charmed me!
The cedar roof, cupola complete with weathervane, board-and-batten siding and latching shutters give canines all the classic details many of us humans enjoy.
Shutters on either side of the house open to promote cross breezes on warm days and close up for cooler winter temperatures.
The cedar roof, cupola complete with weathervane, board-and-batten siding and latching shutters give canines all the classic details many of us humans enjoy.
Shutters on either side of the house open to promote cross breezes on warm days and close up for cooler winter temperatures.
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I also loved the cushion and quirky art inside!
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STG Design collaborated with Balflour Beatty Construction and Prew Fab, LLC and FlexCo to create "Unleashed," made from real dog leashes. The padding, made from recycled tires, is detachable for mobility and easy cleaning.
Dreamed up by Austin-based architects, Barkitecture began by taking up a single sidewalk along the city's 2nd Street District. Five years later, three city blocks were closed to display 20 dog houses and a host of activities and opportunities to donate.
It was a beautiful day at this year's event (but really, when is it not beautiful in Austin?) and everyone was in high spirits. Dogs and kids were encouraged to explore, climb and play on the houses. There were treats and water at each little house to keep pups cool, and most of the boutiques along 2nd Street were at the ready with more treats and their own dogs.
Which is your favorite? Does your dog have a great house too? Post a photo below!
More: How to Make a Vintage-Suitcase Dog Bed
Houzz Pets: 50 Design-Loving Dogs
Loving the Look of Dogs in Design
Get more pet news: Join us on the Houzz Pets Facebook page!
Dreamed up by Austin-based architects, Barkitecture began by taking up a single sidewalk along the city's 2nd Street District. Five years later, three city blocks were closed to display 20 dog houses and a host of activities and opportunities to donate.
It was a beautiful day at this year's event (but really, when is it not beautiful in Austin?) and everyone was in high spirits. Dogs and kids were encouraged to explore, climb and play on the houses. There were treats and water at each little house to keep pups cool, and most of the boutiques along 2nd Street were at the ready with more treats and their own dogs.
Which is your favorite? Does your dog have a great house too? Post a photo below!
More: How to Make a Vintage-Suitcase Dog Bed
Houzz Pets: 50 Design-Loving Dogs
Loving the Look of Dogs in Design
Get more pet news: Join us on the Houzz Pets Facebook page!
Ideabook updated on Oct. 4, 2011.
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Being a volunteer at an animal shelter, i noticed that a few of these do not meet the requirements of the purpose of a dog house. First and foremost, a dog house is to protect the dog from the elements, ie, rain, snow, wind & etc.
If the design is more important then the function, remember that that simply illustrates our society has embraced the premise that what matters is how something/someone looks not what's on the inside.