Pets

Paws for thought: Architects design weird and wonderful cat shelters

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"UnFURled is cat architecture designed to balance adaptability and graphic form," says Perkins + Will
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Standard Architecture's shelter is named the Catosphere and comprises a concrete and wood pod, raised on brass legs and fitted with a cat bed
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"Slender plywood arches cross like a stretching feline and create a bounded but open space," explains Stantec (RNL) regarding its unnamed shelter
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"UnFURled is cat architecture designed to balance adaptability and graphic form," says Perkins + Will
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"Our active and stimulating 'shelter'  was influenced by studying the normal interior environments that domestic cats prefer," says Kollin Altomare Architects about its shelter, "Cat’s Win! Cat’s Win!" 
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"In the year since the Cat Exploration Program was initiated with the successful launch of the Lunar Cat Lander (to much fanfare and general purrs of contentment), the terrain has changed drastically," says Knowhow Shop. "The unfortunate ascension of a petulant marmalade tabby has resulted in drastic cuts to all programs based in science"
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HOK designed this unnamed seven-chambered shelter to offer protection from the elements for multiple cats
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The CAnT WE ALL GET ALONG shelter is designed by HKS. The wooden structure doesn't look all that practical for keeping out the elements but has a novel fish shape and bird houses on its roof
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Formation Association, Terremoto Landscape and Arktura designed this shelter, called the Flora-Gato. "Flora-Gato is a biomorphic trellis providing shelter to cats and informal seating to human volunteers serving the feral cat population"
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ES-EN-EM designed this shelter, called Meow Miaow. "Meow-Miaow is an origami-inspired cat shelter made for indoor and outdoor use that provides a comforting, private and protective space for one or multiple cats"
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d3architecture designed this unnamed shelter using discarded HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) gear, which includes a tranquil den at its center
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CallisonRTKL designed this cathedral-like shelter that includes small stained-glass windows 
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Abramson Teiger Architects may be onto something here with its shelter designed like an oversized ball of twine
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Abramson Teiger Architects also designed this shelter, called White Jack. It's described as "a piece of interactive art where the cat becomes part of the art"
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Every year, Los Angeles-based architecture firms build cat shelters to raise money for FixNation: a non-profit organization that aims to reduce stray cat populations through spaying and neutering. While most cats would probably be just as happy with an old cardboard box, the project provides an opportunity to see architects have some fun with designs for a good cause.

The Giving Shelter event was conceived by Architects for Animals and held in Culver City, California, on October 19. It includes 12 firms, such as HOK and Perkins + Will, and a total of 13 shelters.

The shelters are currently up for auction, along with 28 cat food bowls decorated by big name celebrity cat enthusiasts like Jay Leno, Charlize Theron, William Shatner, and Clint Eastwood. Head to the auction listing if you want to treat the feline in your life to one-of-a-kind shelter or a bowl, but you'll have to be quick as it ends October 31.

A few highlights can be seen below, but head to the gallery to see each of the cat shelters.

Standard Architecture's shelter is named the Catosphere and comprises a concrete and wood pod, raised on brass legs and fitted with a cat bed
Meghan Bob Photography

Standard Architecture's shelter is named the Catosphere and comprises a concrete and wooden pod, raised on brass legs and fitted with a cat bed. The louvered wood walls can be open or closed depending on the weather.

The CAnT WE ALL GET ALONG shelter is designed by HKS. The wooden structure doesn't look all that practical for keeping out the elements but has a novel fish shape and bird houses on its roof
Meghan Bob Photography

The CAnT WE ALL GET ALONG shelter is designed by HKS. The slatted wooden structure doesn't seem all that practical for keeping out the elements, but on the plus side it does comprise a novel fish form and small birdhouses on its roof, meaning a fresh snack should never be too far away.

HOK designed this unnamed seven-chambered shelter to offer protection from the elements for multiple cats
Meghan Bob Photography

HOK is responsible for this unnamed seven-chambered shelter that offers protection from the elements for a group of cats. Its design allows entrance and exit from both the front and rear, while the interior is finished in soft felt.

Sources: Architects for Animals, FixNation

View gallery - 13 images
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1 comment
Benji
The "Slender plywood arches cross like a stretching feline and create a bounded but open space" needs a name like Kitteharp.