Charleston, South Carolina – When it comes to pet homes, BARKitecture Charleston demonstrates that outstanding home designs are not just for humans, but also for our four-legged pals.
BARKitecture Charleston is a paws-itively creative competition in which teams of architects, engineers, and contractors design one-of-a-kind dog homes and cat condos to generate funds for animals in need.
BARKitecture, organized by the South Carolina branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), brings together professionals from all over the Lowcountry to create pet-friendly masterpieces that combine design, comfort, and utility.
The designs aim to improve the living experience for both pets and their owners.
The finished pieces were shown at the Charleston Animal Society’s Applause for Paws Gala on October 4, where visitors may bid on the designer creations through a silent auction to benefit the animal charity.
“Last year was our first year partnering with Charleston Animal Society, and we knew we wanted to come back,” said Destiny Hall, AIA Charleston president. “It’s such a fun, creative way to get our members involved while supporting a great cause.”
Each team took a distinct approach to their design. One design, “Rainbow Row-ver,” was a colorful tribute to Charleston’s renowned Rainbow Row, created by a team who designed and built the doghouse entirely on their own.
“We wanted to incorporate local Charleston architecture,” Hall explained. “It took us a couple of months, working on it probably 10 to 20 hours a week, and a lot more hours towards the end.”
This year’s competition featured five teams competing for the title of top dog in design.
Beyond the friendly rivalry, BARKitecture serves a larger purpose: to raise funds for the Charleston Animal Society while exhibiting the talents of local architects and builders.
“BARKitecture is a fun and creative way to kind of engage our local architects and design firms,” says Hall. “We hope it continues for years to come.”
