Barkhaus is the DC metro area's first-ever dog bar and restaurant. The concept for Barkhaus was borne from an architecture design thesis by Alex Benbassat, a design associate at KUBE. Alex then joined forces with the KUBE team to bring the project to fruition. The various spaces at Barkhaus were designed to allow food, drinks and on/off-leash play to co-exist with dogs and their owners. The rigors of the city and state ordinances were deftly navigated in order to achieve this unique facility. The existing structure's interior was designed to blend the interior space with a modern take on an outdoor park. A wood and steel screen at entry filters light into the space as well as marking the intake and registration desk for guests. A green turf wall with the Barkhaus logo oversees the dining area, along with a service bar where fresh food and drinks are prepared in the full service kitchen above. An off-leash outdoor park area and upstairs private event space allow dogs to run and play freely.
What was the brief?
Design a facility that allows for dogs and their owners to eat / drink and play together.
What were the key challenges?
Main challenges were navigating the county and city health and safety requirements. This was the first facility of its type in the metropolitan area and there were many meetings required between clients, architects, and agency personal in order to gain approvals.
What materials did you choose and why?
Exterior ground materials for the dog off-leash area is pet friendly turf, which is easy to clean and sanitize. Chain link fences surround the off leash and on-leash eating areas. Interior floors are polished concrete, also easy to mop down. Low maintenance materials were critical to the space in order to withstand the sometimes-rough treatment by dogs to the surfaces they run and jump on. The entry screen is steel and wood, the service bar is painted stone, and a vertical turf wall which creates a connection between the interior and exterior spaces.
Team:
Architect: KUBE architecture
Photography: Paul Burk Photography
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Face Brick
2. Flooring: Polished Concrete
3. Doors: Aluminum frame
4. Windows: Aluminum frame
5. Roofing: TPO
6. Interior lighting: LED strips and Incandescent pendants
7. Interior furniture: Metal base, wood top
Note: the base building was existing prior to Barkhaus leasing the structure. The previous use was a burger restaurant. KUBE remodeled the interior to bring the new restaurant use to code, creating an on-leash area downstairs with food service, and an off-leash area upstairs.
