Take shelter: Architects for Animals initiates well-designed homes for cats

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Standard Architecture's 'California Catcube'
Architects for Animals, a charitable initiative from Los Angeles, has recruited 12 local architects to create design-forward homes for stray cats. Pictured: Standard Architecture's 'California Catcube'
(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

Architects for Animals has proof that animals appreciate pioneering design as much as humans. The charitable initiative has invited some of LA’s top architects and designers to take part in its 2016 benefit by creating homes for feral cats in need of shelter from the elements.

Of course, it isn't the first time starchitects lend their skills to faithful furry friends. Japanese graphic designer Kenya Hara famously set up Architecture for Dogs in 2012.

For Architects for Animals, twelve firms donated brilliant designs that address the functional and social needs of street cats – incorporating playful elements, such as built-in feeding bowls, string toys, a ‘trophy’ gallery of mice or a live fish bowl – while all the while still appealing to the human eye.

Among the outstanding and quirky structures, Standard Architecture | Design constructed a self-heating shelter — the California Catcube — designed to give the ideal conditions for a catnap. Built from reclaimed wood and concrete the shelter traps heat during the day and releases it during the cool of the night; meanwhile, movable wood louvers work like window shutters to allow fresh air to circulate, should its inhabitant feel the need. For the more cultured cat, Pfeiffer Partners Architects’ ‘Teatro de Gato’ (Cat Theatre) allows the feline thespian a chance in the spotlight on their own personal stage.

Leslie Farrell, Founder of Architects for Animals, started picking up the phone in 2009 to invite architects and designers to build and donate designs. It is now one of the most popular and unique events on Los Angeles’ design calendar. ‘I have always been a fan of architecture, design and artists,’ she says. ‘I decided to devote my effort to create an event that would bring these worlds together and ultimately provide new ways to raise awareness and help animals that are suffering.’

The shelters were unveiled at a sold-out benefit in March, and all of the proceeds go to FixNation – who provide medical care and spray/neutering of homeless cats throughout LA County. 

A sophisticated design by HOK

The designs address both the functional and social needs of street cats—incorporating playful elements, such as built-in feeding bowls and string toys - while still appealing to the human eye. Pictured: A sophisticated design by HOK

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

A felted dream by Formation Association and Buro Happold

Leslie Farrell, Founder of Architects for Animals, started picking up the phone in 2009 to invite architects and designers to build and donate designs. Pictured: A felted dream by Formation Association and Buro Happold

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

A home that even humans would covet by RNL Design

‘I have always been a fan of architecture, design and artists,’ she says. ‘I decided to devote my effort to create an event that would bring these worlds together and ultimately provide new ways to raise awareness and help animals that are suffering.’ Pictured: A home that even humans would covet by RNL Design

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

An all-wood design by CallisonRTKL

The shelters were unveiled at a sold-out benefit in March, with all of the proceeds going to FixNation, who provide medical care and spray/neutering of homeless cats throughout LA County. Pictured: An all-wood design by CallisonRTKL

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

A modular home by Perkins+Will

A selection of the donated shelters will be available to buy by auction soon on Ebay. Pictured: A modular home by Perkins+Will

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

Undulating curves and outdoor space played into this concept by Abramson Teiger Architects

Undulating curves and outdoor space played into this concept by Abramson Teiger Architects

(Image credit: Meghan Bob Photography)

INFORMATION

A selection of the donated shelters will be available to buy by auction on Ebay. For updates, please visit the Fixnation website

Photography: Meghan Bob Photography

Charlotte Jansen

Charlotte Jansen is a journalist and the author of two books on photography, Girl on Girl (2017) and Photography Now (2021). She is commissioning editor at Elephant magazine and has written on contemporary art and culture for The Guardian, the Financial Times, ELLE, the British Journal of Photography, Frieze and Artsy. Jansen is also presenter of Dior Talks podcast series, The Female Gaze.