Stories on Design // Product Design & Architecture for Pets.

Even though I’m someone who has never had a pet (yep, true story – not even a goldfish) I’ve always thought animals are way better than people. Fact. There are many reasons I say this. For instance, animals are so much nicer and less complicated than people. They can’t talk. They are always honest. They love us no matter what. They are completely selfless. They make us feel important. They are easier to toilet train than kids (trust me, this one I know for sure). Therefore it should come as no surprise that I’ve been noticing countless examples of beautiful products and architectural structures that have been lovingly designed for our pets. From elaborate birdhouses, architectural henhouses, hammock tables for cats, homes with special staircases just for dogs, to sculptural mouse cages that make a political statement – it’s all covered in today’s story.

On another note, this post suggests that us (humans in developed countries) have more money than sense. While so many people on this planet are starved for bare necessities, the Western society is busy developing products and architecture for their pets. Hang on, what am I saying here? Nothing, really. I’m certainly not suggesting we should stop loving animals or designing for them because there is poverty elsewhere in this world. It’s merely a comment and an observation. In fact, this little corner of the internet wouldn’t exist at all if it wasn’t for architecture, art, design, and many other “luxuries” unnecessary for everyday survival.

P.S. Did you know that estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will (see here – fact #31). Am I crazy or is this completely absurd? And a bit sad?

See More ‘Stories on Design’ Curated by Yellowtrace.

D-TUNNEL by Kanya Hara for Teacup Poodle.

Sanaa’s Kayuzo Sajima designed this fluffy white dog cushion for Bichon Frise.

Sou Fujimoto recreated the scaffolding-like structure of his House NA project in Tokyo for a Boston terrier.

Pointed T by Hara Design Institute for Japanese Terrier.

Mirror for a Poodle by Konstantin Grcic. Photography © Hiroshi Yoda.

Architecture for Dogs curated by Kenya Hara // Architects and designers including Kengo Kuma, Toyo Ito, Shigeru Ban, MVRDV and Konstantin Grcic have designed a series of downloadable architectural structures that are just for dogs. Organised by Kenya Hara, the creative director of MUJI, Architecture for Dogs is an open-source network where dog-owners can download the templates for each of the thirteen designs, then build them for themselves. See all the designs here.

Photography © Dylan Perrenoud.

Sculptural Mouse Cage “Parole” by Bureau A // Wanting to expose Architect’s responsibility in raising political and ethical issues through their crafting of the built environment, “Parole” by swiss firm Bureau A recreates part of champ-dollon – a prison in geneva, Switzerland, known for its maximum occupancy ratios. Adapted precisely to the scale of laboratory mice, the 1:24 sculpture attempts to raise questions around the power of institutions that have the potential to be as powerful, violent and determining as prisons.

House Renovation in Vietnam with stairs for dogs by 07Beach // This renovated house in Ho Chi Minh City by architecture studio 07Beach has a special staircase for dogs. The stair features narrower treads and shorter risers than the adjacent one for humans, making it more suited to canines. This also means the dogs’ staircase is nearly twice as long.

“Why Not Hand Over a ‘Shelter’ to Hermit Crabs?” Series by Aki Inomata – “New York City”.

3D-Printed Hermit Crab Shells by Aki Inomata // Using a 3D printer, Aki Inomata created clear plastic shells with miniature cities which were then promptly inhabited by hermit crab residents. Instead of their usual shells, Inomata provides the brabs with tiny works of art to carry on their backs.

Photography by Daici Ano & Masaya Yoshimura.

Bird Apartment by Nendo // Japanese designers Nendo have built an enormous woodland nesting box with 78 entrances for birds on one side and one big door for humans on the other. The treehouse was built for observing birds at the Momofuku Ando nature centre in Komoro, in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture.

Google Map Pin Birdhouse by Shu Chun Hsiao // Trying to view the world from different perspectives and scales, taiwanese designer Shu-chun Hsiao looks at changing interactions between macro and micron landscapes. Using the Google maps landmark icon, his project becomes a physical marker for a bird’s destination as they navigate the streets in a new context. Just like people and way-finding, the miniature dwellings serve as an arrival point for the feathered creatures, accommodating their needs.

Romeow Cat Bistrot by Tommaso Guerra // This cat cafe (yes really) by interior designer Tommaso Guerra is located in Rome, Italy. Photography by Francesco Demichelis.

Who Needs a Wooden House Anyway by Lenneke Wispelwey // “I really love all the birds in my garden, they wake me up in the morning with a backyard concert, a lovely way to start your day if you ask me. So I always wanted to make a birdhouse! but never took the time. Until there was a little design contest attached to a design fair which I participated in. The instruction: design something that is eco-friendly. Something. I cant remember the exact instructions, because the only thing I could think : perfect time to design a birdhouse! And I won first prize! For me this was a sign, to always do what makes you happy.”

Animal Shelter by Formation Association and Edgar Arcaneaux.

Animal Shelter by HOK.

Animal Shelter by Standard Architecture Design.

“Giving Shelter” Animal Charity Fundraiser // A series of cat houses designed by Los Angeles-based architects were created for Architects for Animals “Giving Shelter” fundraiser in September. More than 12 architecture practices with local offices created a series of structures for a one-night-only exhibition and cocktail event to raise money for animal charity FixNation.

Hammock Table by Koichi Futatsumata // E&Y has just released hammock, a low table in stainless steel, glass with a rattan shelf below for your closest friends.

CATable by Ruan Hao // Holes and tunnels in the top of this wooden desk by Hong Kong-based designer Hao Ruan of LYCS Architecture have been designed to provide a playground for cats.

“Breed Retreat” Architectural Henhouse by Frederik Roije // Constructed from timber and finished in durable coating, this architectural hen house was designed to breed and retreat. “To eliminate the estrangement from our origin, respecting nature will be necessary. Designing a special place will give nature it’s space, even in urban society.” – Frederik Roije.

Cluc by Laia Fusté // Living among animals inspired this cool collection of everyday objects and furniture. Laia Fuste, product designer from Barcelona, took the idea of multifunctional items that serve both for humans and cats, to create beautiful set of objects – a nightstand-house, a feeder to share human leftovers and a toy.

Photography © Akihiro Yoshida.

“Heads or Tails” Dog Accessories by Nendo // Japanese design studio Nendo has come up with a range of transformable accessories for dogs. the three-piece Heads or Tails collection consists of a dog bed, dishes and toys, all of which can be used in two ways.

“Mikko” Birdhouses and Feeders by Pygmalion Studio // Mikko is a series of ceramic and timber birdhouses and bird feeders that can adapt to any variety of tree thanks with a simple elastic strap.

Photography by Kent Soh.

Dogs Hotel by WHBC Architects // Malaysian WHBC Architects recently completed an unconventional hotel – nestled in the midst of a tangled mass of tropical vegetation, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – that procures quality accommodation for none other than man’s best friend.

Photography by Rodrigo Cardoso.

Pet Hospital by Ark.studio // Ark.studio is a multidisciplinary platform that aims to create contextualised and enjoyable spaces, grounded in innovative ideas. Sticking to the enjoyability principle can be a challenge when the brief is to design the interior for Veterinary Hospital. Ark.studio created a welcoming interior which incorporates elements of traditional Portuguese decor – soft colours and pastel shades.

Petaholic Hotel by sms Design // Based on the concept of games and geometry, the polygonal blocks are cleverly scattered in the space, creating a playground for the pets to play and roam freely in between the private and public realm.

Spontaneous City by London Fieldworks // Rural and remote locations with profuse green spaces, which work as refuges in a highly populated city like London are hosting some magical artistic installations. Spontaneous City In The Tree Of Heaven is one of these sculptural installations commissioned by Up Projects and created by London based artistic duo Jo Joelson and Bruce Gilchrist, known as London Fieldworks.