At Austin Barkitecture, an annual fundraiser hosted October 1 by the Animal Lovers of Austin and the communities of Edgewick and Gabardine, Austin residents bid on designer doghouses created and donated by local local architects, designers, and builders. The designer dog digs ran the gamut of styles from a Zen house topped with a green roof, a Mondrian-inspired modern, a doggie country cottage, a wine barrel bungalow, an eco-chic pooch palace created from salvaged materials, and one designed after the ubiquitous QR code. Proceeds benefited local animal rescue groups.

Best in Show: Cube House by Cesar Millan (the famous Dog Whisperer) and Spring Builders, an Austin-based custom builder has a Zen roof garden.

Greenest Design prize was awarded  to Agave’s environmentally-sensitive design entitled Water-Cooled Wind Catcher, incorporated waterfall and sunlight-mitigating louvers to keep hot hounds in cool in summer and warm in winter.

Hound Hacinena by VII Custom Homes had front porch with a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lantern, hanging flower pots on the facade, a sloped roof to promote water drainage, and a gutter to collect water.

La Casita del Sol used wood leftover from the designer’s house and recycled beer bottles to take advantage of ambient light.

Woof for this roof !

Inspired by the ubiquitous QR code, Jenkins Custom Homes and Bella Villa presented Ruff Quarters, an ode to technology. Incorporating reclaimed materials obtained from builder’s various job sites, the open design offers structural support and brings in light. Colorful striped carpet was provided by FLOR .

The Ramp House for fun-loving Fido.

The eco-friendly RIB House 2.0, by Hamilton Associates, has a ribbon-like roof for rainwater collection that directs water right into the dog’s bowl.

The machine-age design by the Art Institute of Austin is on e of my personal favorites for its uniques curved shape.

Gensler’s Wine Barrel Bungalow was a good example of reuse. Spicewood Vinyards donated the barrel which I imagine made for a nicely scented space. A scrap of walnut scrap is transformed into a front porch perched on table legs from IKEA. The house is topped off with a green roof planted with succulents to provide insulation and good looks.

Bet the dogs were hounding owners to get them these houses…I would if I were a dog.

Hat tip to the Barkitect.