The stylish dog houses of Barkitecture 2017

A large, roaming pack of Austinites, visitors, and their dogs turned out Saturday for the 12th annual Barkitecture event, which shows off Austin construction and design to benefit nonprofit shelter and animal advocacy groups Austin Pets Alive!, Lizzy's Animal Hospice, and the Meals on Wheels Central Texas PALS (Pets Assisting the Lives of Seniors). The event is sponsored by nonprofit group Animal Lovers of Austin.

This year’s dog houses (and “dog living” design) brought their A-game from such heavy hitters as Haddon + Cowan Architects, Level Home Staging & Design, Mark Odom Studio, Newcastle Homes, Kendra Scott, Studio8 Architects, and Workshop No.5, among many others.

The entries were displayed and awarded rankings at a show hosted by Jo’s Coffee on South Congress and then sold in a silent auction; other activities that guaranteed a doggone good time were face-painting, local vendor booths, a “dogstume” contest, and opportunities for education about animal adoption and advocacy opportunities—plus the doggos themselves, some of whom look quite eager to pose adorably while testing out the new construction.