Architects showing off their pet projects

Real Estate Weekly, Nov 26, 2008 by John Majeski

New York architecture has gone to the dogs.

And the birds and cats, too, apparently.

The Animal Center of New York recently asked three architectural firms to create luxury and usable pet homes, which were then auctioned off in a charity event to benefit the nonprofit veterinary hospital that treats about 50,000 animals annually.

Bartholomew Voorsanger of Voorsanger Architects created a cat condo, Sandi Pei of Pei Partnership Architects created a birdhouse while William Pedersen and Trent Tesch of KPF created a dog house.

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All of the pet homes were inspired by architectural projects that each individual firm has been involved in. The participants donated their time and skills for the charitable pet challenge.

"It was definitely one of the more unique projects I've worked on," said Tesch. "It was for charity and Bill Pedersen and I have dogs so we thought it would be a fun exploration. We took on the challenge."

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Their result? A laminated Baltic birch plywood doghouse that is based on the firm's One Jackson Square building, a West Village luxury condominium. The canine abode even comes with an eco-friendly, green roof--just like at One Jackson Square. Tesch said the animal shelter could be used inside or outside of an owner's home.

The structure's curving form got its inspiration not only from One Jackson Square, but from dog behavior, too. "The springboard ... was a nesting dog," said Tesch, who owns a chocolate Labrador named Bella. "The way it spins around as it finds its nesting spot." Wendy Gallart, director of marketing and communication for The Animal Center of New York, said the doghouse fetched about $6,000 at an auction last week, while the cat condo and birdhouse netted about $5,000 each.

"They were just beautiful," Gallart said of the trio.

Pei's octagonal birdhouse is based on a design Pei was commissioned for at China's Tianfu Square. Voorsanger's cat condo is inspired by a project for Harley-Davidson. While the pet homes utilize sharp design, they will also be put to good use.

"The man who bought it has two beagles," Tesch said of the doghouse.