Cat Shelters by LA Architects for Animals – Giving Shelter
The Architects for Animals – Giving Shelter was a sold-out event that was held In October of 2017 at the Herman Miller Showroom in Culver City. This 10th edition of the event featured a silent auction of 13 outdoor cat shelters designed and built by LA architects and the proceeds went to the non-profit FixNation which provides free spay/neuter services for homeless cats.
Abramson Teiger Architects designed two outdoor cat shelters. Above left is their Ball of Twine. A large rigid globe constructed with rope fibres in a dense but still transparent shell. The rope continues beneath the sphere, wrapping around and around to create a base and leaves a bit of rope loose for cats to play with. The transparency of the shelter offers cats the ability to see everything around them while relaxing in a protected den complete with a red pillow.
The second cat shelter by Abramson Teiger Architects is pictured above right. Called “White Jack” it references the child’s game “Jacks”, Constructed with white tubular steel and with a red powder coated interior, it gives cats plenty of options and combinations to explore or hide.
Perkins + Will designed UnFURled (above left). A spiral structure that was created to offer a place for cats to have fun while they scale, scratch and explore it. The cat shelter is created from a collection of interchangeable parts allowing it to be expanded or reduced in size.
Above right is the piece “Cat’s Win! Cat’s Win!”. By Kollin Altomare Architects, it is a multifunctional cat shelter that provides scratching surfaces, multi height perches, a place to hide and areas to play. The “W” references the iconic “W” flags in Chicago.
CallisonRTKL designed a pyramidal cat shelter complete with faux stained-glass windows and a teeny tiny disco ball. The pyramidal shape was inspired by the safe havens of cathedrals and the disco ball keeps the piece from feeling too serious. There is a soft carpeted ramp at one end that leads to a perch for the cats to overview their surroundings.
Above right, HKS created a sunlight filtered fish tail shaped den with 3 flues rising above the cat shelter that turn into birdhouses. The idea is that a cat could, just for one day live in harmony with both fish and birds.
D3architecture chose to create a design with upcycled HVAC tubing. This design is meant to reference the urban alleys that feral cats live in while at the same time offering cats a fun wild arrangement of tunnels that converge on a central den.
Also referencing the land feral cats live in, Flora-gato is a biomorphic trellis stuffed with Spanish moss in the shape of a pouffe or ottoman. This solid looking structure actually hides a den where cats can escape the elements and relax in the regulated temperature provided by the moss exterior.
ES-EN-EM created the Meow-Miaow which is an origami inspired cat shelter that is assembled flat before folding into its bold orange boat shape.
Catosphere, by Standard Architecture / Design is a concrete and wood pod that sits on 4 brass legs as though it is a space ship that has landed on the moon. The movable wood louvers can be opened to allow breezes to pass through and cool the cat shelter or closed in the winter to contain heat. The concrete also acts as a temperature regulator and the cat bed inside, well that’s for cat naps.
HOK is a 7-chambered cat shelter that is like a mini condo fitted with super comfy soft felt. The 7 unit cat shelter is held together with a faux wood strap.
RNL (now Stantec) is also a repetitive design but rather than creating a multi home cat shelter, it layers and weaves itself into a three-dimensional cat platform of slender plywood arches. A single red trhead weaves back and forth like a harp to create a bound yet open space.
Knowhow Shop created a cat shelter complete with a shingled roof, mid-century design and its own plot of land complete with textured landscaping. There is even a roof deck for sunning in the warm weather.
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