you want to build for who?

I believe that everybody deserves good design, and when approached to design new digs for Duncan and Nugget, two 800 lb. Yorkshire-type pigs currently residing in tight quarters at the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Mehoopany, PA, I was in excited to expand my client list!

I met with Indra at the farm, and she patiently and passionately introduced me to all of the animals she has rescued.  I loved her personal interaction with each 'resident', especially their unique and thoughtful names.   I met the cows, calves and Gus the yak; the goats, the cats, the horses, the pot-bellied pigs; Sabine the horse, Mother Superior the hen (the head of the welcoming committee of the upper barn); the turkeys, potbelly pigs, and the sheep.  A friendly sheep, Bertie, (Sir Betram Fancypants) trailed a short but safe distance behind us as we headed to the pig enclosure for me to meet Duncan and Nugget.

The "two big, friendly boys" (as Jen Washichosky described them to me when plugging the project) trotted up to me and I was greeted with snorts and piggie tail wags.  They nuzzled at me, which can be a bit intimidating  coming from an 800 pound gentle-giant.  I was struck by their friendliness, obedience and general happy nature.  These are happy pigs.

I saw the small enclosure the two brothers snugly fit in.  When they first moved into their new house, Indra was concerned they would get lost as they barely needed half of the space.  Now, at least one (if not both) have some body part hanging out of the house!

Earlier this year I taught a second year architecture design studio at Marywood University in Scranton, PA.  The group I instructed was highly motivated and exceptionally creative.  I thought this would be an incredible opportunity for them to learn to design and build a structure.  After emailing the students, I received an overwhelming response and brought the first group up to the site...