April Fools joke to Home Show raffle
On 1 April this year, we announced we were expanding our Ready to Build collection with a range of architecturally designed dog houses. Premium finishes, clever layouts and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, "for maximum zoomies, of course."
It was a joke. Then the messages started arriving.
"People genuinely loved it," says Landmark Homes Central and West owner, Warwick Aldridge. "We had people messaging to say the house looked amazing and asking when they could order one. So we thought, why not build it?"
So we did. The finished dog house is coming to the Auckland Home Show at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane, Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September, and one visitor will take it home. Raffle tickets are $5 on our stand (148), and every dollar goes to the SPCA.
Built the way we'd build anything
The team took the joke seriously. The dog house stays true to the April Fools design, in a new colour, and took around ten hours to build.
"We took the April Fools render as the brief and built to it, the way we would for any client," says Warwick. "Good proportions, a proper roof, indoor-outdoor flow, and materials that will last."
Materials were donated by ITM, Carpet Court and Vue Master Windows and Doors, and the finished home comes fully furnished with a dog bed and accessories. The first tenant to test it was Derek, who moved straight into the master suite and gave it the wag of approval.
Why we support the SPCA
Landmark Homes became an official SPCA Business Supporter earlier this year, and the dog house is our Auckland team's way of getting behind the partnership.
"Landmark Homes is a family company, and for most Kiwi families that family includes a dog or a cat," says Warwick. "The SPCA is Landmark's charity of choice nationally, and we wanted to do something local, fun and a bit different to support them. Nobody needs a designer dog house, but everyone wants one, and this one goes to a very good cause."
How to enter
Raffle tickets are $5 and available on the Landmark Homes stand (148) throughout the Auckland Home Show, 10 to 13 September. The winner will be drawn at the end of the show and the dog house delivered to its new home.
Can't make it to the show? You can still support the SPCA and be in the draw, buy your tickets here.
While you're at the show, come and say hello. Our Auckland team would love to talk about what's possible for your next home, the full-sized kind.
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