If you were asked to design a contemporary dwelling for an animal – cat, bird, snake, etc. – what would that house look like? That’s the task that was posed to Buffalo architects, builders and designers as part of the 2014 Animal House Competition (see BRO article for background).
1ST PLACE: Jesse Pringle | “Owl Feeders” | University at Buffalo Student
2ND PLACE: William Quintana | “Crow House” | Emerging Professional
3RD PLACE HON: Elaine Tripoulas & LiRong Zang | “Evolving Socially” | Cornell University Students
HON. MENTION: Christa Trautman | “Coupe: Urban Chicken Housing” | Emerging Professional
Award-winning entries to be publicly displayed at various American Institute of Architects events throughout 2014
Here are the creations in full detail, provided by American Institute of Architects and Buffalo Emerging Professionals:
do·mes·ti·cat·ed: A plant or animal that has been adapted to live in a human environment.
Since the agricultural revolution, Barn owls and people have lived in a symbiotic state of being. In return for a small sheltered space, owls protect our crops from rodents. However, mass urbanization and large-scale industrial agricultural practices using sealed mechanistic barns have changed our relationship. Barn owls are endangered in many states due to habitat loss, as well as lack of sufficient winter prey. To make matters worse, rodents are typically combated with pesticides, which are sometimes lethal to owls.What owls need are new safe havens, where they are sheltered from exposure and food is plentiful, particularly during the cold times.
Owl Feeders are bird feeders for these nocturnal raptors. Three layers of habitat make this tower useful for multiple species. Barn owls prefer to nest in the highest local available shelter. Feeders begin with a raised owl roost built according to recommendations of the Barn Owl Trust. Below, a greenhouse level allows for an extension of the growing season. Rainwater irrigates a vertically layered garden that produces food for people and mice. A chute connects the greenhouse to a rat-proof food bin below. House mice live under the floor and serve as meals for barn owls to make it through the toughest times. This compact ecosystem helps ensure that the owls who have come to rely on us for shelter are not turned away, but rather welcomed.
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Members of the Genus Corvus are among the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom. With a brain size ratio comparable to the one found in large primates, their resourcefulness and ingenuity is largely underestimated. Their intelligence and resiliency has allowed them to adapt and thrive in every habitat especially if a human settlement is nearby.
In 2008, Joshua Klein developed a vending machine that fed treats to crows in exchange for coins. After training a first batch of birds and teaching them how the machine worked they shared that gained information with their offspring and other members of their murder. Crow House builds upon this idea and proposes to employ these trained birds to aid in the recollection of recyclable garbage.
The process the crow would follow in order to activate the machine is simple. Firstly the bird would spot a piece of trash. It would then start flight in order to fetch it. Once it has seized the garbage it would fly towards the crow house and stand in the entrance perch. The crow would then drop the litter into a tray that activates the entrance mechanism allowing the bird to access shelter, food and water. Finally it would leave and start the process again.
It is in the design that the relationship between man and nature is reflected. While crows clean the parks and streets, humans replenish their food supply, provide them with shelter and maintain the general infrastructure. Through this public domestication the birds will become the ‘city pet.’
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“Moving into a new home with a new family is very stressful. Leaving behind old friends (and enemies) and familiar territory for a new home requires a long period of adjustment. I want to be confident in my new home and with my new family and fellow pets, but let’s take it one step at a time. There are many techniques for socializing a newly adopted shelter cat that would gradually introduce me to new stimuli. My new home should enable this transition.” – Cat
Evolving Socially is broken into four stages associated with the cat’s acute senses (sound, smell, sight, and touch) and as each stage is passed the cat becomes more comfortable with that sense in the new environment; evolving from confined to confident. Starting with full sensory confinement, as the cat adjusts to his or her new home the primary owner will remove the panel associated with each sense (sound, smell, sight, and touch).
Evolving Socially is a flat-packed, low-cost, modular kit of parts, that slots together and is easily constructed in the home. The intent is that this home will be provided by the shelter with a newly adopted cat. After full adjustment, the panels can be reconfigured and expanded upon to create a fun and interactive cat playground.
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The design concept is to provide a refuge for canines during a natural disaster, such as hurricane Sandy. The Ruff-uge shelter provides a temporary location for families to come and claim their lost pets, which they became separated from during a disaster, while keeping the animals protected, safe, and comfortable during the wait.
Research was done on what materials would be appropriate and available for structures in disaster situations, as well as what would be an appropriate shelter for a canine.
We wanted to create an animal house that had the animal in mind. The Ruff-uge is a portable, foldable space, large enough to accommodate one large dog or two small to medium dogs. It is constructed out of a combination of ripstop and cordura nylon. All features that would be expected to keep your pet comfortable have been considered and included, along with what would be needed on behalf of the rescuer.
Ruff-uge…providing you peace of mind for your best friend, in a time of crisis.
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Thank you for purchasing Coupe: a luxury home for urban chickens. All of the necessary components of Coupe are in the box that has been shipped to your home. Simply follow the instructions (listed below) to begin your very own chicken farm! In no time you’ll be making fresh omelets!
Coupe is designed to be constructed rapidly and without the use of adhesives, fasteners, or power tools! Simply slide and lock components in place! Furthermore, the Coupe is designed to shield your chicks from wind, rain, and snow. The pen allows your chickens to roam free and safely from predators all day without adult supervision. Furthermore, a panel on the back of Coupe allows you to access your chick’s nesting boxes discreetly for their eggs.
We hope that you enjoy your Coupe!
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Sponsors
AIA Buffalo Emerging Professionals
AIA Buffalo/WNY
Buffalo Architecture Foundation
Avalon Document Services Animal Architecture
AIAS University at Buffalo
Buffalo Humane
Jury
Michael LaValley, Assoc. AIA, LEED® AP
Michael Anderson, AIA, LEED® AP
Anne E. Dafchik, AIA, LEED® AP, NCARB
Kevin M. Mahoney
Joyce Hwang, AIA, NCARB
Carol Tutzauer
American Institute of Architects – Buffalo Emerging Professionals