DESIGN NAME: Future Deja Vu
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Residential
INSPIRATION: In response to a family dynamic that involves multiple cats, in addition to the functions and styles required by human residents, the design also incorporates features that are derived from a feline perspective that embodies the spirit of pet-friendliness.As the cats jump around, move about, and interact with one another, the space is also enriched with a vibrant, interesting dynamic.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The design implants two separate but intersecting cosmic views in a single-story residence for a young couple and their four cats. By combining the design with peepholes and door panels, balance can be achieved between the function of the owners’ care and observation and respect of the cats’ privacy. The cats also enjoy their exclusive passageways that traverse between public and private areas in the house.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Breaking away from conventional designs for pets in a home, which are often unconnected and enclosed, this design allows the daily lives of cats to become the heart and soul of the space. By implementing an independent traffic flow for cats and a resting area, and setting up an open, shared living space, this design achieves pet-friendliness and empowerment, giving the cats full freedom of use, and respecting their habits and privacy.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in July and finished in Sep. 2022 in Taiwan.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The public area adopts an open layout, but the four cats’ activities and habits are also taken into consideration, and their exclusive traffic flows and private areas are created by integrating the TV cabinet and corridor storage, thus creating a life intersection that’s both separate and linked. Soft and gentle curves stretch between different objects, forming a natural guidance for the flow of movements at the entrance. As one walks through the entrance, the slanted design of the ceiling also directs the line of sight to the outdoor landscape beyond the higher floors, while the height difference between the space and beams is also mitigated. In terms of the private area, one of the bedrooms is converted into a study and dressing room, adding more function to the space, while a passageway for cats is reserved, allowing the cats to move between the spaces freely.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Using pure color tones like light gray and white to form a comfortable base, combined with a sweet rosy pink, the design creates a lively visual impression. The flowing arcs run between the cabinets, blending like liquids into the daily lives of the residents. In the bright and open homy area, three-dimensional tunnels and a cat house support the cats’ needs of traversing, walking, perching, and playing. Through the peepholes, the surprise and fun of exploration is provided. Moreover, the designer utilizes the plasticity of diatomite to leave cat footprints on the wall, giving the space even more of an emotional connection.
TAGS: Interior, Design, apartment, Residence
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Using both the perspective of cats and humans, this design creates two axes of life that are separate yet shared. In the open public area, independent traffic flows and a resting area for cats are created with the arrangement of the TV cabinet and corridor storage. Functional parts of the space are integrated with flowing curves, and the slanted ceiling design also helps to form a natural guidance of traffic flows and lines of sight while mitigating the height difference between the structures. To address the needs of the residents, one of the bedrooms is converted into a study and dressing room, mixed in with exclusive passageways for cats, allowing the cats to explore and traverse freely.
CHALLENGE: Humans and cats have very different needs, so the biggest challenge with the design is to bridge the gap and integrate privacy and independence with an open mindset. For example, the lifestyles of the pets need to be incorporated into the spatial design, while appropriate storage distribution must also be achieved. Moreover, different usage scenarios or situations are addressed with the size of the openings, hidden angles, and flexible panels.
ADDED DATE: 2023-02-20 14:50:57
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Shih Chieh Kao, 2022.
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