Portland permits each household up to three hens (no roosters), and in February 2009, Snyder had the plans in the works in Google SketchUp. Around the same time, the duo also got their chicks, housing them under lamps in the basement until the coop was completed. "We didn't know what they were going to be like," Snyder says. "But we didn't just get them for the eggs; they're really fun as pets, too."
Portland permits each household up to three hens (no roosters), and in February 2009, Snyder had the plans in the works in Google SketchUp. Around the same time, the duo also got their chicks, housing them under lamps in the basement until the coop was completed. "We didn't know what they were going to be like," Snyder says. "But we didn't just get them for the eggs; they're really fun as pets, too."
The peaceful chapel interior.
The peaceful chapel interior.
Ingrid shows off one of the chickens the family raises in their large and very productive coop.
Ingrid shows off one of the chickens the family raises in their large and very productive coop.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The Humboldt Park eatery has operated like an idealized backyard BBQ since opening last May, serving up incredible fried chicken and fish and potent, potable Negroni slushies to the mobs jockeying for patio space. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The Humboldt Park eatery has operated like an idealized backyard BBQ since opening last May, serving up incredible fried chicken and fish and potent, potable Negroni slushies to the mobs jockeying for patio space. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
In the warm months, each of the couple's three hens lays an egg a day. "It's a good thing we can only have a few chicken," Snyder says. "That'd be a lot of cholesterol to eat otherwise." Fortunately for Snyder and Martin, the hens' production slows to an egg per week in cool months (and some chickens stop laying eggs altogether in the winter). But even in the summer, the couple has plenty of friends happy to share a scramble.
In the warm months, each of the couple's three hens lays an egg a day. "It's a good thing we can only have a few chicken," Snyder says. "That'd be a lot of cholesterol to eat otherwise." Fortunately for Snyder and Martin, the hens' production slows to an egg per week in cool months (and some chickens stop laying eggs altogether in the winter). But even in the summer, the couple has plenty of friends happy to share a scramble.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The relatively small, 1,500-square-foot restaurant boasts a handful of custom neon signs. Squint and you can see the El Camino around the corner. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The relatively small, 1,500-square-foot restaurant boasts a handful of custom neon signs. Squint and you can see the El Camino around the corner. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

This flexible, seasonal spot boasts an interior sporting roadside-industrial chic and an outdoor Eden with plants from local gardening store Sprout. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish This flexible, seasonal spot boasts an interior sporting roadside-industrial chic and an outdoor Eden with plants from local gardening store Sprout. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The relatively small, 1,500-square-foot restaurant, which feeds the packed patio on the bulk of the 10,000-foot lot, is augmented by a series of three shipping containers-turned-bars. Reusing that material—which also falls under the city's classification for 'temporary structures'—has significant environmental impact, saving material and money. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The relatively small, 1,500-square-foot restaurant, which feeds the packed patio on the bulk of the 10,000-foot lot, is augmented by a series of three shipping containers-turned-bars. Reusing that material—which also falls under the city's classification for 'temporary structures'—has significant environmental impact, saving material and money. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Chicken under glass? Apolo will settle for eggs for breakfast.
Chicken under glass? Apolo will settle for eggs for breakfast.
The entire house is painted in one color: Sherwin Williams' Ibis White.
The entire house is painted in one color: Sherwin Williams' Ibis White.
The coop grew out of the garden. "We were so excited to have a yard," Snyder recalls. Martin started growing a vegetable bed and soon a friend and owner of Naomi's Organic Farm Supply suggested hens. "She got us excited about having chickens as an extension of our garden," Snyder says.
The coop grew out of the garden. "We were so excited to have a yard," Snyder recalls. Martin started growing a vegetable bed and soon a friend and owner of Naomi's Organic Farm Supply suggested hens. "She got us excited about having chickens as an extension of our garden," Snyder says.
Snyder and Martin's move brought about an entirely different lifestyle--one that involved a house, a yard, and for Snyder, the chance to launch his own firm, Mitchell Snyder Architecture, after first acquainting himself to Portland, Oregon, as a designer at Scott Edwards Architecture. His first project on his own: a chicken coop for the couple's new feathery friends.
Snyder and Martin's move brought about an entirely different lifestyle--one that involved a house, a yard, and for Snyder, the chance to launch his own firm, Mitchell Snyder Architecture, after first acquainting himself to Portland, Oregon, as a designer at Scott Edwards Architecture. His first project on his own: a chicken coop for the couple's new feathery friends.
The couple picked inexpensive white porcelain tiles for the tub and shower, but splurged on a Carrara marble countertop for the double vanity. The medicine cabinets are by Fresca.
The couple picked inexpensive white porcelain tiles for the tub and shower, but splurged on a Carrara marble countertop for the double vanity. The medicine cabinets are by Fresca.
Cassell wasn't kidding when he said they did serious research. "This was probably the most architectural brain power ever devoted to the problem" of housing chickens, he said. They analyzed a variety of factors, including how many square feet each chicken required, how do you collect eggs, and how you keep chickens safe from predators. Undoubtedly, the last factor was one they had not considered on previous projects.
Cassell wasn't kidding when he said they did serious research. "This was probably the most architectural brain power ever devoted to the problem" of housing chickens, he said. They analyzed a variety of factors, including how many square feet each chicken required, how do you collect eggs, and how you keep chickens safe from predators. Undoubtedly, the last factor was one they had not considered on previous projects.
In the kitchen, the couple kept the old oak cabinetry but refinished it. “We wanted a very clean look, so we opted for no hardware and painted it the same color as the walls,” Niffenegger says. They upgraded the countertops with leathered black pearl granite. A Louis Poulsen pendant light hangs over the sink, a leftover from the original construction. “Like any good Swiss, we have a Nespresso machine,” Niffenegger jokes.
In the kitchen, the couple kept the old oak cabinetry but refinished it. “We wanted a very clean look, so we opted for no hardware and painted it the same color as the walls,” Niffenegger says. They upgraded the countertops with leathered black pearl granite. A Louis Poulsen pendant light hangs over the sink, a leftover from the original construction. “Like any good Swiss, we have a Nespresso machine,” Niffenegger jokes.
The relatively spacious interior of the 60-square-foot coop came after the ARO architects delved in the literature, so to speak, and took time to examine the problem. "We made a project that works well for the birds, that's our obligation," says Cassell.
The relatively spacious interior of the 60-square-foot coop came after the ARO architects delved in the literature, so to speak, and took time to examine the problem. "We made a project that works well for the birds, that's our obligation," says Cassell.
The concept was to create a series of folded shingles, textured pieces of aluminum that would complement the more rustic aesthetic.
The concept was to create a series of folded shingles, textured pieces of aluminum that would complement the more rustic aesthetic.
Cassell, who ended up working on a chicken coop, synagogue, and football stadium addition all at the same time, conducted serious research and did a series of thought exercises to figure out how to approach the assignment. After examining a handful of approaches—"What if Breuer created a poured-concrete coop? What happens if we create computer scripting to generate ideas?"—Cassell and designer Ethan Feuer settled on a rustic, curved shelter of bent aluminum shingles—an edgy, 60-square-foot avian Airstream.
Cassell, who ended up working on a chicken coop, synagogue, and football stadium addition all at the same time, conducted serious research and did a series of thought exercises to figure out how to approach the assignment. After examining a handful of approaches—"What if Breuer created a poured-concrete coop? What happens if we create computer scripting to generate ideas?"—Cassell and designer Ethan Feuer settled on a rustic, curved shelter of bent aluminum shingles—an edgy, 60-square-foot avian Airstream.
Architecture Research Office (ARO) built this sleek, aluminum-clad chicken coop for a Hamptons backyard, both for the challenge and for "the sheer ridiculousness" of the project.
Architecture Research Office (ARO) built this sleek, aluminum-clad chicken coop for a Hamptons backyard, both for the challenge and for "the sheer ridiculousness" of the project.
An innovative cookware product with traditional origins, the Stoneware Chicken Roaster from Malle w. Trousseau simplifies the process of roasting a chicken. Designed as a simple bowl with a pronounced skewer, the Chicken Roaster allows you to cook a chicken vertically by placing the chicken onto the pick and pushing it down. The structure of the cooker allows for uniform roasting as the heat rises from the base of the roaster and juices running down the bird make the skin crispy. Vegetables can be placed at the base of the bird to create a delicious side dish while the chicken roasts.
An innovative cookware product with traditional origins, the Stoneware Chicken Roaster from Malle w. Trousseau simplifies the process of roasting a chicken. Designed as a simple bowl with a pronounced skewer, the Chicken Roaster allows you to cook a chicken vertically by placing the chicken onto the pick and pushing it down. The structure of the cooker allows for uniform roasting as the heat rises from the base of the roaster and juices running down the bird make the skin crispy. Vegetables can be placed at the base of the bird to create a delicious side dish while the chicken roasts.
Designed at Matton’s studio in Wendorf, Germany, the Chicken Cabinet is the latest example of Matton’s FreeRange Furniture line, part of his continuing project to bring rural solutions to urban issues.
Designed at Matton’s studio in Wendorf, Germany, the Chicken Cabinet is the latest example of Matton’s FreeRange Furniture line, part of his continuing project to bring rural solutions to urban issues.
The Chicken Cabinet that has been getting so much attention online recently is one-of-a-kind. It occasionally travels to exhibitions, but Matton himself doesn’t really use it, since he isn't really pressed for space like his target urban audience.
The Chicken Cabinet that has been getting so much attention online recently is one-of-a-kind. It occasionally travels to exhibitions, but Matton himself doesn’t really use it, since he isn't really pressed for space like his target urban audience.
Matton's family's current home boasts 84 times more room than his old Rotterdam apartment. “Since I live in the countryside, I prefer to have my chicken outside and happy,” he says.
Matton's family's current home boasts 84 times more room than his old Rotterdam apartment. “Since I live in the countryside, I prefer to have my chicken outside and happy,” he says.
“The German countryside is paradise,” Matton says. “It’s very empty. Wendorf is a small village where you can't buy anything, so it gives you the chance to concentrate and not be a consumer all the time.”
“The German countryside is paradise,” Matton says. “It’s very empty. Wendorf is a small village where you can't buy anything, so it gives you the chance to concentrate and not be a consumer all the time.”
The epitome of a statement piece, Dutch designer Ton Matton’s oak Chicken Cabinet has received raves for its compact design, all while slyly poking fun at European Union laws about what qualifies as a free-range chicken.
The epitome of a statement piece, Dutch designer Ton Matton’s oak Chicken Cabinet has received raves for its compact design, all while slyly poking fun at European Union laws about what qualifies as a free-range chicken.
Radiant heating, one of the structure's amenties, is a coop must-have, according to Cassell.
Radiant heating, one of the structure's amenties, is a coop must-have, according to Cassell.
This photo is one of the images of "happy clients" Cassell says ARO has occasionally put on display in their office. The firm has received numerous calls for work, and requests for more coops, since this project went public. "It's sort of shocking how many calls we received," he says. "We did a big project about climate change for MoMA, and this chicken coop has earned us just as many calls."
This photo is one of the images of "happy clients" Cassell says ARO has occasionally put on display in their office. The firm has received numerous calls for work, and requests for more coops, since this project went public. "It's sort of shocking how many calls we received," he says. "We did a big project about climate change for MoMA, and this chicken coop has earned us just as many calls."
Parson's Chicken & Fish

Renovations, which started in October 2012, actually brought the space full circle; originally an outpost of the Chicken Unlimited fast food chain (“Tender as quail … tasty as pheasant”), the former restaurant at 2952 W. Armitage had been a bakery and even a muffler shop. For the local Land & Sea collective -- Pete Toalson, designer Cody Hudson (Struggle Inc.) and Jon Martin and Robert McAdams (design and fabrication company Mode Carpentry) -- bringing back the fryers was their second foray into the restaurant world, after the incredibly successful, Michelin-starred Longman & Eagle. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish Renovations, which started in October 2012, actually brought the space full circle; originally an outpost of the Chicken Unlimited fast food chain (“Tender as quail … tasty as pheasant”), the former restaurant at 2952 W. Armitage had been a bakery and even a muffler shop. For the local Land & Sea collective -- Pete Toalson, designer Cody Hudson (Struggle Inc.) and Jon Martin and Robert McAdams (design and fabrication company Mode Carpentry) -- bringing back the fryers was their second foray into the restaurant world, after the incredibly successful, Michelin-starred Longman & Eagle. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
MWT French Stoneware Chicken Roaster, $85 at the Dwell Store

This handmade chicken roaster from French company Malle W. Trousseau simplifies the process of roasting a chicken.
MWT French Stoneware Chicken Roaster, $85 at the Dwell Store This handmade chicken roaster from French company Malle W. Trousseau simplifies the process of roasting a chicken.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

Ryan Duggan, a local designer and rock poster artist, decorated a red El Camino parked in the front yard. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish Ryan Duggan, a local designer and rock poster artist, decorated a red El Camino parked in the front yard. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The outdoor tables are hand-numbered. This is where many drinks will soon be consumed. Not pictured; the ping-pong table. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The outdoor tables are hand-numbered. This is where many drinks will soon be consumed. Not pictured; the ping-pong table. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The view of Armitage Avenue from the interior of Parson's. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The view of Armitage Avenue from the interior of Parson's. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

“Impact” items in the design include the tile mural at the bar, custom patterned wooden doors in the bathrooms, neon signs and the impressive design work. Lettering and graphic artists Matthew Tapia created the skull-and-crossbones style logo and Cody Hudson did the graphic design. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish “Impact” items in the design include the tile mural at the bar, custom patterned wooden doors in the bathrooms, neon signs and the impressive design work. Lettering and graphic artists Matthew Tapia created the skull-and-crossbones style logo and Cody Hudson did the graphic design. Photo by Clayton Hauck.
Parson's Chicken & Fish

The intricate bathroom stall designs were a collaborative project.
Parson's Chicken & Fish The intricate bathroom stall designs were a collaborative project.
The defining feature of this lakeside cabin in northern Idaho is a 30-by-20-foot window wall that opens the living area to the surrounding lake and forest. Concrete blocks, steel, and plywood make up the simple palette of materials.
The defining feature of this lakeside cabin in northern Idaho is a 30-by-20-foot window wall that opens the living area to the surrounding lake and forest. Concrete blocks, steel, and plywood make up the simple palette of materials.
The Sea Ranch Chapel by Hubbell and Hubbell
The Sea Ranch Chapel by Hubbell and Hubbell

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