We sent out the call, and you responded: Literally dozens of you sent in suggestions about what to do with the still-abandoned Intel building. While the suggestions ranged from the sublime (wrapping the building in tinfoil, flexible movie screens, and banner art) to the absurd (see our winner, below), a few common themes emerged: Several people wanted to turn all or part of the building into some kind of garden, hanging, rooftop, or otherwise; four or five suggested commissioning an artist to wrap the building in a massive piece of artwork; many said Intel should turn it into a parking garage for Hyde Park Baptist Church (our favorite variation on this theme is included below); and quite a few suggested turning it into a music venue to resurrect the many bars and clubs that have departed the Austin scene in recent years.
A panel of impartial architectural experts (made up primarily of the Politics staff, Features editor, Screens editor, and Arts editor of this publication) picked the winner -- Mark Lipset's Corporate Petting Zoo -- for its creativity, uniqueness, and sheer hysteria-inducing abilities. The other top contenders are also featured here, along with their comments about their creations. Mark will receive a complimentary dinner for four, catered by Chronicle Cuisines Editor (and pro caterer) Virginia Wood, across from the Intel shell in Republic Square Park. Congratulations and thanks go out to him and all the other contenders.
