2013 AIA Dallas Tour of Homes Draws Largest Attendance Ever

8 November 2013

Once again, we had nearly perfect weather for the 7th annual AIA Dallas Tour of Homes, a (legal) sneak peek into other people’s homes.

The success of this year's tour brought over 2,200 curious onlookers and the two-day event provided an opportunity for the community to explore a variety of residential styles, sizes and neighborhoods. The planning committee selected nine homes to feature on the tour and one home to host the weekend’s kick-off Premiere Party (honoring Frank Welch, FAIA). "Smaller houses were chosen not because they are small but because of their laudable design," says committee co-chair Kelly Mitchell, AIA. The innovative designs were selected for their architectural excellence and ability to communicate to the public the difference an architect makes in residential design.

The members of the 2013 Tour of Homes committee, the masterminds behind the home invasion led by co-chairs Kelly Mitchell, AIA, and Leticia Canon, AIA, deserve great applause, as do the home owners, architects, sponsors and almost 150 volunteers. Their hard work, long hours, and support produced the most successful tour in the history of the Dallas chapter!  The integration of the tour’s guide book into Columns magazine’s "Special Tour of Homes" issue included a fully removable Tour of Homes Guidebook and highlights the strategic partnership between the Tour of Homes and the Publications Committee, led by editor Chris Grossnicklaus,  Assoc. AIA. In two days, over 2,000 issues of Columns were distributed!

In addition to a spectacular turnout, the tour sparked great public and media interest. Tour of Homes was featured in a variety of media outlets including Dallas Morning News Home & Garden, FD Luxe, D Home, Culture Map Dallas, and The Dallas Observer, all serving to promote the quality of residential architecture designed in Dallas and its positive impact on the daily lives of citizens.