Whispers of Cats Residence

Press Kit

Unique Properties

As opposed to thinking from a functional point of view, the design team placed emphasis on the needs of daily living and emotional interactions. Therefore, when encompassing human-pet relations as primary design consideration, it defines the living requirements of both the client and the cats. In terms of material and color, the warm grey color tones was used to complement the white color of the cats while it also applied various design measures to maximize floor usage.

Dimensions & Packaging

With an internal area of 57 square meters, in order to satisfy storage and cat-keeping needs of the client, the transition area especially features a timber storage cabinet for storing collection, as well as serving as a jumping board and hide-and-seek area for the cats. Also, the design team utilizes the side area of sofa back wall to connect kitty house, jumping board and cat paths for their free-roaming routine.

Tags

Pet, Multi-Function, Tatami Room, Heterogeneous, Flexibility

Production Technology

Materials such as timber veneer, metalwork, laminate board, glass, and paint, were adopted, with consideration of pet colors, to feature elegant dark grey base complemented by warm oak-texture and void design. In terms of design for public domain, the TV wall adopted dark grey stone-patterned laminate board with hidden cat doors while the sofa wall adopted the finished-concrete laminate board with rustic-pattern for a touch of culture.

Design Challenge

As far as the client is concerned, cats are not merely pets but important family members, which was why they wanted to create a fun and comfortable playing paradise for them. In view of this, the team read widely on cat behaviors and ergonomics in order to understand cat behaviors and the body structure, to design all cat facilities with precision down to the centimeters, so as to protect the well-being of the cats.

Research

With the importance of pets in modern households, given the low birth rate in modern society, the interior space shared by pets and people have been highly valued. The team carefully connects the entrance, living room, dining area, tatami room, and cat area while imbuing them with multi-function. With the living room featuring an elegant grey tone, complemented by simple and warm oak texture, the bedrooms inherit the grey tone for visual continuity.

Inspiration

As this project is the common living space for a young couple and their cats, the client would like to have a free and comfortable living environment to further consolidate their bonds. From pet behaviors, the daily routines of, and the interactions between the client couple and their cats, the design was developed to offer sufficient living space for the cats and the client while amalgamating proportions of material and color into a space of refreshing tones and aesthetics.

Project Duration

This project was completed in 2019, in Hsizhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Operation Flow

For the client of this project, cats are not merely pets but important family members, which was why they wanted to create a fun and comfortable playing paradise for the pets. In view of this, the design team read widely on cat behaviors and ergonomics in order to understand cat behaviors and body structure, to create all cat facilities with precision down to the centimeters, so as to protect the well-being of the cats.

Image Credits

Wide Design