Positioned within the historic and plush metropolis of Kamakura, simply an hour exterior of Tokyo, stands a fairly distinctive home, named A Cat Tree Home. It’s a feline paradise designed for a pair of their thirties and their two beloved cats. Architect Tan Yamanouchi of AWGL has redefined what it means to design a house by taking inspiration from the shoppers, the four-legged variety, who don’t converse human language. Because the couple has lived with the 2 cats for ten years, the architects checked out them as extra than simply pets, as an alternative as shoppers that had their very own wants.
The cats had three major requests. First, they needed the liberty to decide on their perfect temperature at any given second. Cats are recognized for his or her sensitivity to temperature variations, they usually love to maneuver round to search out the right spot. Second, they needed to be near their human members of the family however not too shut, as they love their independence. Lastly, they desired a large number of secure areas to retreat to, adapting because the seasons change.
With these feline necessities in thoughts, the architects got here up with an ingenious thought: to design the home as a large cat tree. Your entire home is conceived as a big staircase, with an atrium at its heart that’s lit by a skylight. Pure mild filters by way of, making a play of shadows on every step all through the day. These steps, impressed by the physique measurements of the cats, lead to a complete of 23 completely different flooring ranges. Your entire home is split into temperature layers, every offering a singular setting for the cats to discover.
The spiral staircase is a cantilever design, harking back to the tamasudare, a loosely woven bamboo display utilized in conventional Japanese road performances. It not solely serves as a practical design ingredient but additionally provides a creative contact to the area. It additionally helps management humidity within the humid Kamakura setting.
Every nook of the spiraling construction homes completely different rooms for the couple and gives snug spots for the cats to calm down. These rooms additionally function hiding locations when surprising company arrive, making the home as practical for the felines as it’s for its human occupants. The spiral staircase even doubles as a split-level library, with bookshelves hanging from the wall. It’s a haven for the cats to lounge and for people to take pleasure in a superb learn.
Home windows are strategically positioned all through permitting the cats to benefit from the exterior view, whereas concurrently offering lovable cat sitings from these passing by within the neighborhood.
In Japan, pets, particularly cats, maintain a particular place in individuals’s hearts. With ten instances extra pet cats than new child infants, it’s clear that feline mates are beloved companions. Japan’s getting old inhabitants has additionally sparked an elevated curiosity in animal remedy, making properties that contemplate pets’ wants all of the extra related.
Pictures by Lamberto Rubino.
