Japanese architects have created the optimal home for cat lovers and zoning

Japanese architect couple from Tan Yamanouchi Architects built imagine an unusual house in the city of Kamakura. It was called Cat Tree House, literally “cat tree house,” because it was designed taking into account all the needs of both the owners and their two cats.

The creators tried to squeeze the maximum out of every square meter. The house was zoned into bedrooms, a guest room, an office, a kitchen, a dining room and a bathroom, and the common areas are limited not by doors and walls, but by the floor level. Each room has quick access to the central staircase, whose handrails are custom-made and designed to imitate the mountain landscapes of the region.

This staircase is designed with cats in mind. She adds platforms at 23 height levels, which are made wide enough for a cat to lie on. During the day, animals can move between levels, choosing the most comfortable position in terms of height, temperature and illumination. Thanks to this, cats can observe what is happening in the house from a comfortable distance if they do not want to come closer.

There is an atrium in the center: windows throughout the house are responsible not only for air circulation, but also for natural light. The land outside was also zoned: the garden by the road is made up of 80 species of plants and is designed to complement the natural view, and the inner garden is equipped for relaxation and growing 20 types of edible herbs.

For the creators, this project is not just personal entertainment, but also a response to a social trend in Japan. Considering that more cats are being adopted in the country than children, and the aging population has a growing interest in animals in as emotional support, there is a need to consider animal welfare when designing houses. Projects like this make it possible to provide comfortable conditions for all residents of the house - both people and pets.