AEGB Takes Home Greenest (dog)House Award
After weeks of design team meetings, document reviews, and budget overruns, the AEGB Barkitecture team earned a 5-star rating on their entry in the 2009 Austin Barkitecture Competition.
Held in the 2nd Street District, the competition invited Austin’s best designers and architects to turn their skills toward design and construction of the most unique dog houses in Central Texas. This presented AEGB staff Bryan Bomer, Jeff Wacker, Maureen Scanlon and Sarah Talkington with a timely challenge: to put themselves in their clients paws. "We had a design charette and considered our client's need for comfort and happiness throughout his or her life," says Maureen Scanlon. We considered universal living, cleaning ease, shade and ventilation needs, and a roof-top deck, among other amenities. We used salvaged, least toxic materials and even a radiant barrier."
The Austin Energy submission focused on sustainability, passive cooling strategies, and flexibility of use. The team incorporated reclaimed long-leaf pine flooring, non-toxic finishes, and an OSB-roof with a white elastomeric roof coating. Believing that to be truly sustainable, the house must be beautiful, Sarah Talkington volunteered to create the upholstered cushion designed for comfortable roof-top lounging. "I went through the remnants bin and found some fabric that was the right size to avoid waste. The fabric was beautiful, durable, gender-neutral and added a breezy Morrocan-beach feel to the house."
For flexibility, the cushion is removable, reversable, and washable. Sarah also donated the curvy metal legs.
For their efforts, the team was awarded the “Greenest” dog house prize.
Thirty-two teams created dog homes which were viewed and enjoyed by the public on October 17 and subsequently auctioned off to benefit Blue Dog Rescue, Austin Pets Alive, Austin Dog Rescue, and Forgotten Friends.
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Work, and more work… over budget, behind schedule… |
Large overhangs, recycled flooring, good ventilation |
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The proud project team receives a
5-star rating |
Happy new homeowners (finally got the C.O.!) |
Resources
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