With the holidays coming up, you’re probably out buying gifts and wrapping them up for your loved ones. There’s even a chance you might have strolled through Aventura Mall recently in search of the perfect gift and wondered, “What’s up with all these pet homes?”
Well, this might be your sign to get your beloved fur baby a one-of-a-kind holiday gift. Aventura Mall is partnering with The Miami Center for Architecture & Design (MCAD) and Humane Society of Greater Miami to host a “PAWchitecture” design and build competition, featuring innovative pet homes and play stations. And just like the pups you’ll find at the mall, each house comes in different shapes and sizes.
Created by top design and architectural firms, the spectacular designs will be on display through December 11 where you can view and bid on first-hand.
Some of the designs include “Bone Baywatch,” a lifeguard station-inspired design with dog toys incorporated throughout; “Copa Cat-bana,” which includes a moss wall, playful elevation and natural, warm materials; “The ‘A’ Frame Tiny Luxury Pooch House” with energy-efficient thermal insulation, a dark wooden frame and light-filtering acrylic; and the “Cafetera Dog House,” a nod to Miami’s “Cafecito” culture and art deco aesthetic.
Are we sure these are for four-legged companions? We like to think a couple of pet owners would want these for themselves.
“Several lucky South Floridians will take home these spectacular, interactive designs by award-winning firms – but no one will enjoy them quite as much as the dogs and cats,” said Jossie Aguirre, Interim Executive Director for The Humane Society of Greater Miami. “PAWchitecture is creating engaging and cozy environments for loving pets in need. We’re humbled to be beneficiaries of these firms’ designs and grateful to Aventura Mall and MCAD for their partnership.”
The 16 competition entrants – which include global, national and Miami-based firms, in addition to a student – are the following:
- 89th Place Studio
- AECOM
- BMA Architects
- Digital Architecture and Future Technology (DAFT) Buro
- Moonlighter Fablab
- Gensler
- Gresham Smith
- Kobi Karp Architecture
- MCHarry Associates
- Miami Dade College/Homeschool Student
- Neuvio Architects
- Nichols Architects
- Perkins & Will
- Savino Miller Design Studio
- Stantec
- Studio Mc+G Architecture
Each of the 16 submissions are being auctioned to the public at Aventura Mall and online, with proceeds directly benefiting the Humane Society of Greater Miami and MCAD, helping animals in need to find their fur-ever homes. A panel of judges will also select PAWchitecture winners across several categories, including Big Woof, Tiny Barker, and Cat Condo. Click here to learn more.