Design for a Difference 2013

Design for a Difference is  a national design contest organized by The International Design Guild, awarding one talented designer $20,000 in goods and services to transform a space at their favorite local charity.

Designers from all over the U.S. & Canada stepped up to nominate a variety of causes; from those benefiting families, kids & entire communities to animals & the arts

My Non- profit of choice was MAXFUND      

As an animal lover and  parent to several shelter animals, this was a very natural choice for me. 

Max Fund is a non-profit organization , a No-kill shelter, established May 1988

Max Fund takes in and nurtures any animal with no known owner and finds homes for these animals once they have recovered. Read the wonderful story of Max Fund and the founders Dr. Bill Suro and Nanci Suro HERE

and here is my lengthy concept straight from my heart :)

DESIGN INTENT 

Nanci and Bill  Suro have revolutionized what shelters are today and what they will be in the future by working on the problem of the feral, stray, abandoned, and unwanted cat and dog population through spay and neuter, adoptions, and education.

My goal is to challenge the outdated perception of the animal shelter as depressing dog pound. I want to design a “safe haven”  for animals , and “happy space” that people will want to visit.  I can not affect the amount of abandoned dogs, but I can add beauty, function and comfort to the space that is occupied by them, the shelter workers and volunteers. 

Dogs live in the present. They can not rationalize their current situation and the length of their stay at the shelter. When they spend day after day inside a concrete kennel, with only views to another kennels, and are exposed to barking of other dogs,  it is hard for them to remember their indoor manners.

I want to create a more home-like environment for them. Public space will be playful with some happy colors. It will  have natural light through  large windows and skylight, a park-like / living room/ home like setting with indoor plants. Kennel’s will have better acoustics and visual barriers (plants?) between kennels. Visitations rooms for potential adopters and dogs  will be quiet and cozy.  Overall feel to the space  would be calming with some soothing background music.

All this will prepare the dogs to better adjust to their new life with their adopted family.

There would also be some fun details such as dog figurines made of papermache, descending from the skylight ( located in the waiting and reception area) with fabric parachutes. This symbolizes dogs safe landing to better life and hopefully would bring a smile to visitors faces. There will be happy colors (yellow, blue) and uplifting art and quotes through out the space.

(click on the images to enlarge)

More info: Design For Difference  

The winner was announced today and unfortunately my concept did not win, but at least I know that one well deserving non-profit just received wonderful news :-)