Details are located below registration form

TEAMS 

Twenty-five (25) professional team slots are available for the 2025 AIA Claws & Paws Construction Design/Build Competition and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Professional teams must consist of one (1) licensed architect or architectural design firm and one (1) licensed contractor or contractor firm. Teams may register here:

Payment through Stripe/Credit Card via DaisyCares

REGISTRATION COST 

Professional team registration fee is $250. 

COMPETITION GUIDELINES 

We encourage teams to create original, fun, interesting and one-of-a-kind designs that will be enjoyed by dogs, cats, and people alike! Below are the minimum guidelines that all competition entries must meet. If any home does not meet the below criteria, the team will be asked to re-design, re-build their home or the home may be removed from the competition and/or display at Pearl. 

Design and Construction 

• All pet homes must provide a safe and comfortable shelter for animals. 

• Homes will not expose animals to harm via toxic materials, exposed nails, rough edges, etc. 

• All homes must be designed to accommodate removable bedding. 

• All homes designed for outdoor categories or use must be built with exterior-grade materials and provide a sheltered entry and means to keep the floor of the home dry from natural elements, such as floor being raised slightly off the ground. 

• The Team Captain’s meeting on December 5th is mandatory (This will be a virtual meeting). The team captains for both the architect and the contractor teams should be present at the meeting. If Team Captains are unable to attend, someone else from their company needs to attend as a representative. 

Delivery of Homes 

• A delivery schedule will be sent out to team captains 2 weeks before the installation date. Teams are required to deliver at the time scheduled. 

• The delivery entrance direction will be provided after confirmation with Pearl. Teams will need to check in with a Claws & Paws Construction Committee member outside of the entrance before moving houses inside. 

• Teams will be responsible for unloading homes from vehicles and moving homes to the site at Pearl, using furniture movers with rubber wheels only. 

• Pearl will not assist in any unloading or moving of homes. Display at Pearl 

• The homes are likely to be touched by thousands of visitors. All design elements are to be firmly attached, and sharp edges or corners should be avoided, as well as the use of unfinished materials. 

• All openings 4” or larger must be covered by a minimum of ¼” thick plexiglass and securely attached with mechanical fasteners. Teams should incorporate the plexiglass into the overall design and avoid creating an independent enclosure around the home. 

• All doors and/or operable openings must be fixed in the open or closed position with mechanical fasteners. If fixed open, openings must be covered by plexiglass. 

• Any operable pieces fixed in an open position must fit within the size requirements of the category. 

• Any homes delivered for display without plexiglass installed at the time of arrival will not be allowed to be set on Pearl property until installed. 

• All staging of houses (accessories, etc.) must be complete before the home is moved into Pearl.

• No real or fake plants are permitted during the exhibition at Pearl. If the design includes an area for plants, they may be added after the home is removed from Pearl property. 

• Homes may only have Pearl, Paws for Service, DaisyCares and AIA sanctioned signage. Sanctioned signage will be created and placed by PAWS for Service, DaisyCares and AIA staff only. Teams may not create, display, or add any signage in or on their homes displaying any company names or logos. This includes products placed inside the home that include names and logos. 

• Should homes or plexiglass be damaged while on display, PAWS for Service & DaisyCares will contact the team captains. It is the responsibility of the team captains to ensure the home is repaired within 24 hours of notification. Failure to repair or replace damaged components can result in the home being removed from display. 

If these guidelines are not met at the time of delivery, the homes will not be accepted for display and could result in elimination from the design/build competition and will be ineligible for awards.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES 

At the time of registration, each team will select their preferred design category. Entries are first-come, first-serve, and the category will be closed once the maximum number of entries has been received. Please have a backup design category selected before submitting your online team registration. 

Canine Cabins – Ten (10) Entries Available (Indoor or Outdoor) Designs should feature accommodations for all dogs in mind. Size: 5’ wide x 5’ high x 5’ long (max) Weight: 450lb (max) 

Furr-niture (Medium) – Ten (10) Entries Available (Indoor) Designs should combine furniture-like aesthetic with the functionality of a doghouse or crate, cat condo, or cat/dog combination. Size: 4’ wide x 4’ high x 4’ long (max) Weight: 350lb (max) 

Cat Condo (Small) – Five (5) Entries Available (Indoor) Designs should embrace the active, agile, and curious nature of cats. Size: 2’ wide x 5’ high x 2’ long (max) Weight: 200lb (max) 

Size 

Homes will be limited to the maximum dimensions indicated in your design/build category. Any size within the maximum size range will be deemed acceptable, pending design review approval. Please note that each home should be designed to fit through a standard 3’-0” door, if possible.

Weight 

Homes cannot exceed the maximum weight limit indicated in your design/build category. Please take into consideration that your team is responsible for transportation and placing your home on a 42” riser. Please also consider the feasibility of transportation and relocation by the eventual owner, as well as Pearl. 

Cost 

To ensure fair and equal competition, home material costs should not exceed $1000. The cost limit is set to reduce significant cost gaps, establish fair and equal pricing for public silent bidding and help ensure an equal playing field for all Paws & Claws Construction competitors. 

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 

All teams must upload a completed preliminary design form to their team folder within the Paws & Claws Construction Google Drive for review, no later than Dec. 10th at 5pm. You must use the provided form, no exceptions. Any teams that submit preliminary designs, other than on the AIA approved form, will have their entry returned and may be eliminated from the design/build competition if they do not resubmit on the approved form by the deadline. The preliminary design package must include: 

o Completed Preliminary Design Form (Provided) 

o Indication of the best location on structure for signage (8.5×11) 

o Indication of where plexiglass will be used 

o Company Logos for the Architect and Contractor Team Members in JPEG Format 

AIA, PAWS for Service, DaisyCares, and Pearl reserve the right to decline any design with just cause or reason. Teams will be notified by Dec. 9th of preliminary design review approval. 

FINAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

All teams must submit a final design package no later than Feb. 10th at 5pm. The Final Design Package MUST include: 

• Completed Final Design Form (Provided) 

• Company Logos in JPEG Format for the Architect and Contractor team members 

• Photos Of Built Design (Photos may be submitted any time before February 24th at 5pm) 

• One signature photo that best shows the design and construction detailing of your completed home. This photo will be displayed as the official photo for your home on the auction website, the Claws and Paws website, and all social media and marketing promotional posts in perpetuity. No late photos will be accepted. 

• No rendered images of homes will be accepted in place of actual, completed home photos. 

• All photos must be 1500 pixels by 2100 pixels at 300 ppi. 

DEADLINE AND DELIVERY PENALTIES 

Teams that do not meet the required deadlines outlined in the competition guidelines or fail to deliver a completed home on the date of delivery, could incur the following penalties: 

• Missed or Late Final Design Submission Deadline: Due – February 10th – Ineligibility for Design/Build Awards 

• Missed or Late Completed Home Photo Deadline: Due – February 24th – $100 Penalty 

• Late or Incomplete Home Delivery to Pearl: Due – March 1st – $250 Penalty 

• Withdrawal from Competition after Schematic Design Deadline: $500 Penalty **Penalty provides for missed fundraising revenue from home/team withdrawals to DaisyCares and PAWS for Service

CLAWS AND PAWS CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 

Awards will be presented by AIA at the Claws & Paws Construction Housewarming Party on March 22^nd  at Pearl

“TOP DOG” AWARD This is the ‘People’s Choice’ award. The built entry that receives the most votes will be deemed as the “Top Dog”. This award is presented by PAWS for Service and DaisyCares. 

“BEST IN SHOW” AWARD The “Best in Show” award will be presented as the overall winner of the Paws & Claws Construction design/build competition and overall juror’s favorite. This entry will epitomize the best overall design and construction detailing in the pack. 

“HOT DOG” AWARD The “Hot Dog” award will be presented as the overall runner-up to the winner of the Paws & Claws Construction design/build competition and as the second-place winner. 

“GREEN PAW” AWARD The “Green Paw” award will be presented at the juror’s discretion to the best overall entry that captures the spirit of sustainable design and construction with clearly recognizable and distinguishable features or materials for the conscientious pet owner! 

DESIGN/BUILD CATEGORY AWARDS (3 TOTAL) Awards will be presented to the team that best embraces the spirit of their respective category: 

• Canine Cabin – Best Doghouse Design/Build 

• Furr-niture – Best Furniture Home Design/Build 

• Cat Condo – Best Cat-Friendly Design/Build 

HONORABLE MENTION At the jury’s discretion. 

2024/2025 IMPORTANT DATES 

Sept 1                    Online Team Registration Opens 

Nov 30                    Online Team Registration Closes (6pm)

Dec 5                    Team Captain’s Meeting Virtual Meeting – REQUIRED PARTICIPATION

Dec 10                   Preliminary Design Submittal Due (5pm) – REQUIRED DEADLINE

Dec 17                   Preliminary Design Review Response Due Back to Teams & Construction Start 

Feb 10                   Final Design Packet Due (5pm) – REQUIRED DEADLINE

Feb 24                    Money Shot photo due (5pm) – REQUIRED DEADLINE & Team Captain’s Meeting – Location at Pearl

Mar 1                      Built Entries Installed at Pearl (Schedule TBD) – REQUIRED DEADLINE

Mar 22                    Housewarming Party & Design/Build Awards (TBD) Location at Pearl