AIA Greenville, a local section of the South Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects, is set to launch its inaugural PAWchitecture Greenville design-build competition. The competition aims to benefit Greenville County Animal Care's Safety Net Foster Program and will bring together local architects, designers, builders, and students to create unique and stylish dog houses and cat condos for a community auction in the fall.
The idea for PAWchitecture came from Miami-based Nichols Architects, who previously participated in a similar event in Miami in collaboration with the Miami Chapter of AIA. The architects were drawn to Greenville's vibrant energy and pet-loving community, making it an ideal place to host a similar competition.
Local architecture firms, including A M King, Craig Gaulden Davis, Fathom Firm, KEEL Concepts, and McMillan Pazdan Smith, have already formed teams to participate in the competition. This exciting initiative offers architects and designers a chance to use their creativity for a worthy cause, helping families and pets in need.
The teams will compete to design and build one-of-a-kind pet houses, showcasing high-quality craftsmanship and imaginative designs. The competition will culminate in a community auction this fall, where these unique structures will be available for bid.
Pet houses from the competition will be on display at Auro Hotels' Hyatt Regency located at 220 North Main St. in downtown Greenville from October 13 to October 30, 2023. This public exhibition will provide an opportunity for the community to appreciate and admire the creativity of the local architects and designers.
All the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Greenville County Animal Care during a celebration event in November. The funds raised will go toward supporting the Safety Net Foster Program, which helps care for pets of families experiencing crises.
The success of PAWchitecture in Greenville is made possible by the support of generous sponsors, including Alice Company, Auro Hotels, Britt, Peters and Associates, MGC Law, Nichols Architects, and Traveling Chic Boutique. These companies have recognized the value of this initiative in promoting the compassionate treatment of animals in the community.
Paula Church, Community Relations Coordinator at Greenville County Animal Care, expressed gratitude to AIA Greenville, Nichols Architects, and the generous sponsors for bringing PAWchitecture to Greenville. She emphasized that the funds raised would significantly aid the organization in continuing its crucial mission of caring for pets in families facing challenges.
PAWchitecture brings together the creative minds of local architects and designers to support the welfare of animals in need. The unique pet houses created through this competition not only showcase design ingenuity but also contribute to a pawsitive cause. By supporting Greenville County Animal Care, PAWchitecture exemplifies the spirit of community and compassion that can make a lasting impact on the lives of families and their beloved pets.
