Raise the Roost!

Architecture for Humanity Seattle and Architects Without Borders Seattle invited designers, artists, builders, students, and backyard chicken enthusiasts to design and build a chicken coop for an urban residential garden that integrates creativity, functionality and the innovative use of low-cost, reclaimed materials. Entry fees went to benefit Seattle Youth Garden Works, a transformative urban agriculture employment training program for homeless and underserved youth.

Raising chickens for eggs can be a lifeline where affordable, healthy food is difficult to access. Caring for chickens provides valuable educational opportunities for children and adults alike to connect to where food comes from while inspiring self-sufficiency. Chickens are low cost to maintain and can also provide the nutrients needed for an entire vegetable garden to thrive.

By designing and building chicken coops in innovative and creative ways, designers are not only taking a stand against hunger but also benefitting homeless and underserved youth through Seattle Youth Garden Works. The organizers invited everyone to a free community event at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands to view the coops and celebrate the winning entries.

Celebrity judges include Molly Moon, of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Shop, Rebecca Teagarden, of Seattle Times' Northwest Magazine, Cheryl Waters, of KEXP radio, and Jessi Bloom, author of Free-Range Chicken Gardens.

In-kind donations were made by Atheltic Awards, Saxton Bradley Inc., Century Ballroom, Tin Table, and The Loveward Steps.

Learn more on the Open Architecture Network >