Pets

Cutting edge architecture ... for cats

Cutting edge architecture ... for cats
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)
3d3architecture would perhaps make a good platform for sleeping (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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3d3architecture would perhaps make a good platform for sleeping (Photo: Grey Crawford)
4DSH architecture clearly like to think outside the box (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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4DSH architecture clearly like to think outside the box (Photo: Grey Crawford)
4DSH architecture clearly like to think outside the box (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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4DSH architecture clearly like to think outside the box (Photo: Grey Crawford)
6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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We're not sure what this is, by LEHRER ARCHITECTS, but the cat looks comfy at least (Photo: Grey Crawford)
NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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NAC architecture's shelter sleeps three (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Perkins and Will's shelter is a little more ... abstract (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Perkins and Will's shelter is a little more ... abstract (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Pfeiffer Partners Architects came up with another pipe-based shelter (Photo: Found Animals)
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Pfeiffer Partners Architects came up with another pipe-based shelter (Photo: Found Animals)
RNL's design is simple, fun, and functional (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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RNL's design is simple, fun, and functional (Photo: Grey Crawford)
RNL's design is simple, fun, and functional (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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RNL's design is simple, fun, and functional (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Geddit? By RTKL (Photo: Konnect PR)
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Geddit? By RTKL (Photo: Konnect PR)
Space Intl's shelter looks a little cramped but cats do love to squeeze into small spaces (Photo: Found Animals)
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Space Intl's shelter looks a little cramped but cats do love to squeeze into small spaces (Photo: Found Animals)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Standard Architecture Design produced one of the more practical looking shelters (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Wolcott Architecture Interiors has enough room to throw a cat party (Photo: Grey Crawford)
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Wolcott Architecture Interiors has enough room to throw a cat party (Photo: Grey Crawford)
View gallery - 31 images

A total of 14 Los Angeles-based architecture firms, including Perkins and Will and HOK, were recently tasked with designing small outdoor cat shelters for charity. The works were displayed for one night only last week to raise money for FixNation: a non-profit organization dedicated to minimizing cat populations through humane, non-lethal, methods.

Somewhat reminiscent of the Doll's House project we reported on last year, the Giving Shelter project was conceived by Architects for Animals and offered each architect an opportunity to get creative. The shelters range greatly in shape, size, and practicality.

HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)
HOK's utilitarian communal shelter comes complete with faux grass (Photo: Grey Crawford)

HOK's utilitarian shelter is complete with faux-grass and wooden roof, and could well be the future of multi-kitten communal housing.

Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)
Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket (Photo: Grey Crawford)

Abramson Teiger Architects' shelter is rather plush and upmarket, and would be better suited to the cat princess in your life.

6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)
6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter is "passively-cooled" (Photo: Grey Crawford)

6Formation Association + Edgar Arceneaux's shelter would suit an environmentally conscious feline, as the wooden shelter is low-impact and its slatted design allows passive cooling.

Still, if the cats are anything like mine, they'd probably rather sleep in the cardboard box that the shelters were stored in.

Head to the gallery to see each of the 14 designs in full.

Sources: Architects for Animals, FixNation

View gallery - 31 images
1 comment
1 comment
Bob Flint
Do you really need Architects to try to discern what cats prefer? My three like simple card board boxes, and empty, bags...