NorthPark Center may be entering the real estate business. In the summer, there’s Dallas CASA’s Parade of Playhouses and now the SPCA of Texas is staking claim on housing. With guests like Ken Risser, Heather Nelson, Carolyn and David Kubes, Teresa and William Vit, Andi Cohen and Kim Sheldon in full Christmas attire, the Bark + Build Housewarming kicked off Home For The Holidays 2017 on Sunday, November 19. But these houses weren’t for two-legged munchkins. Think smaller and four-legged types. Here is a report from the field:
Tacky holiday sweaters were on display in all of their glory as designers, architects, socialites, friends of the SPCA of Texas and members of the American Institute of Architects of Dallas (AIA Dallas) and TEXO, The Construction Association jingled and mingled to kick off Home for the Holidays 2017 at the Bark + Build Housewarming Party on Bark + Build Lane at NorthPark Center on Sunday, November 19, at 6 p.m.
A plethora of delectable delicacies from the sweet to the savory and bubbly beverages were served. The evening’s superb staffing was provided thanks to KMG Events and Kristen Greenberg.
Between grooving to the spunkiest holiday beats, provided by LeForce Entertainment, guests strolled the first floor between Dillard’s and Macy’s at NorthPark Center to view the 24 custom-made dog houses that were created especially for the Bark + Build luxury Doghouse Design/Build Competition and display portion of Home for the Holidays, which kicked off November 13. These one-of-a-kind dog houses on display and up for auction at the Housewarming party, were designed and built by AIA Dallas and TEXO, The Construction Association members, and were there until Sunday, December 3.
SPCA of Texas VP for Communications Maura Davies began the awards ceremony for the Bark + Build awards by welcoming the more than 350 guests to Bark + Build Lane and sharing the SPCA of Texas’ mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home and to rescue. Davies expressed the SPCA of Texas’s gratitude to NorthPark Center’s Lona Crabb, Billy Hines, Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, as well as AIA Dallas and TEXO, The Construction Association for their generous support, creativity and friendship. She also highlighted the SPCA of Texas’ efforts to heal and find homes for thousands of animals each year through its adoption, spay/neuter and wellness services and animal cruelty investigations and of course the Home for the Holidays event. Then, Jeremy Hogan with Sedalco Construction Services and Mary Butler, Associate at FKP Architects, introduced all of the award winners for Bark + Build.
All entries for the Bark + Build Doghouse Design/Build Competition were judged on both design and construction quality by a jury panel previous to the Housewarming event. This panel included Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Board Member and former SPCA of Texas Board Member Mary Spencer, Crescent Real Estate Senior Construction Manager Miguel Villareal, DPR Construction HR Manager Monica Jacobs, Modern Luxury Texas Editor-in-Chief Rhonda Reinhart, BKD LLP Senior Associate Dustin Clanton, Craddock Architecture owner Phillip Craddock and VCA Central Expressway Animal Hospital’s Dr. Troy Cobb.
Awards presented include:
- Best in Show (1st place): D2 Architecture with Suffolk for b•ARX;
- Hot Dog Award (runner up): FKP Architects and Campos Engineering with Skanska for The Doggy Paddle;
- Teacup Pup Award: GSR Andrade and TLC Engineering with Rogers-O’Brien Construction for WinneBarco Mini Trailer;
- Big Dog Award: VLK Architects and Cadence McShane Construction for Bird Dog Blind; and
- Enviro Dog Award: DLR Group | Staffelbach with MAPP for Wag On Inn.
These winning houses were auctioned live at the Housewarming party by Auctioneer Logan Thomas and all other houses were up for silent auction the same night. The auctions raised more than $8,000.
Additionally, it was announced that voting was open for the final award, People’s Choice, in the Bark + Build Luxury Dog House Competition at NorthPark Center!
Home for the Holidays sponsors include Presenting Sponsor: Dr. Larry and Joan Rogers; Event Sponsors: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Guaranty Bank and Trust, Kroger and the North Texas Cheddarheads; Hospitality Sponsors: Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, Heineken USA and Central Market; Dog House and Kennel Sponsors: Katy Trail Animal Hospital, North Texas Honda Dealers, Lord Green Strategies, Stand Up and Paint, Hollywood Feed and CareNow; Media Sponsor: CultureMap; and Entertainment Sponsor: LeForce Entertainment.
All money raised will go towards the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for homeless animals. So far, the Bark + Build portion of Home for the Holidays has raised more than $77,000 including sponsorships and auction.
*Photo credit: Thomas Garza Photography