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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Doghouses go uptown


Finished doghouse projects by WSU design and architecture students in the hallway of the Phase 1 Classroom Building in Spokane. 
 (File/ / The Spokesman-Review)
Treva Lind Correspondent

A dream house can go to the dogs, if Pacific Science Center organizers have anything to say about it. The center has launched a Doggie Dream House Contest open to Northwest builders, engineers, designers or community groups.

Creating beautiful canine spaces is not all that farfetched, says Keith Diaz Moore, an assistant professor of architecture and landscape architecture at Washington State University in Spokane. For a fall contest at WSU Spokane, about 24 doghouse designs were developed by students within 36 hours. From those, a final three were selected for construction and auctioned to benefit SpokAnimal.

The students were shown the book “Barkitecture,” by Fred Albert, illustrating more than two dozen doghouses created by famous designers.

“The reason clients asked for these designs is they consider pets as much a part of the family as anyone else, and how else to express their love than through good design?” Diaz Moore said. “I gave them some examples from that book and I told them this is a legitimate design problem.”

WSU students who are part of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and construction management this past August came up with a space-age dog house, a ‘50s diner-themed house and a third that was inspired by Dr. Seuss’ creativity.

For the Pacific Science Center contest, a public and celebrity panel will vote on top doggie houses in the following categories: People’s Choice, Best of Show, Most Creative, Most “Green” and Most High Tech. Some specifications include a total base (including yard) of 4 feet by 4 feet with height not to exceed 6 feet. Electrical is optional: five amps maximum (UL approved devices only).

To help serve as creative inspiration, Pacific Science Center has created its own special doghouse decorated in Seattle Seahawk colors for its puppy mascot nicknamed “Seahawk.” The doghouse is on display at its Raise the Roof exhibit.

Any dog house entered in the competition becomes the property of Pacific Science Center. Doghouses will be auctioned after winners are announced and all proceeds generated will be donated to Pacific Science Center’s science education programs.

“This will be a fabulous way to generate visibility for your company or community group’s name or logo. Each doghouse will be on display for a month with more than 70,000 visitors enjoying them, along with multiple opportunities for media exposure,” says Pacific Science Center vice president of marketing Joe Barnes.

For more information about Pacific Science Center and the Doggie Dream House Contest, or to download an application, visit www.pacsci.org or call (206) 443-2001.

Deadline to enter the contest is March 1 with a $25 entry fee. The doghouses must be delivered to Pacific Science Center by Friday, March 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Competition is limited to 50 entrants.

As part of the center’s new Raise the Roof exhibit, selected doggie abodes will be displayed during the month of April. The winners will be announced April 28.