Don't be surprised if you see palatial digs of
the canine variety on an upcoming segment of "Lifestyles
of the Furry and Famous." On Saturday, Nov. 22 more than
300 Texas A&M University construction science students strapped
on their tool belts and built 50 deluxe "pet palaces"
as part of the Department of Construction Science's Build Day
competition.
The "Pet Palace Project,” spearheaded by construction
science instructor Audrey Tinker, was held at the College of Architecture's
16-acre spread at Texas A&M University's Riverside Campus.
The opulent pet homes, designed for Tinker’s construction
materials and methods class, were assembled at the event and later
donated to the Brazos County Animal Shelter and the Houston Humane
Society. Both groups are planning to auction the homes at future
fund-raising events.
The doghouse designs included an elaborate Victorian-style home,
a few oriental-styled buildings, a modern, split-level structure
and even a miniature replica of the landmark Texas Aggie Barn
near Calvert.
Since students were required to have all of their materials cut
and ready to assemble at the site, the College of Architecture's
woodshop was abuzz with preparation the week before for the event,
Tinker noted. The finished structures were required to be no larger
than four feet in height, width and depth, but the students were
allowed to use any materials as long as the cost did not exceed
$50.
Thanks to a generous 10 percent discount on building materials
from Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, Tinker said students were
able to stretch their pet palace investment. Kolache Rolf's, a
local eatery, also donated 12 dozen kolaches to get the students
rolling in the morning.
The Build Day/Pet Palace Project was the first event held on
the future site of the College of Architecture's "Architecture
Ranch." Though still on the drawing board, the college has
plans to invest $1 million into the site's development. The 16-acre
site will soon be a testing ground for college research initiatives
and student projects in construction, design, planning, landscape
architecture and art.
The Riverside Campus is located on the west side of Highway 47,
just south of the junction with Highway 21.
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