Cat+Human Collection

BRIEF

The self-directed objective of this project was to create a collection of minimalist, space-saving, sustainably-made furniture that is functional for both humans and cats.

CRITERIA

The following are the criteria I established for myself when I started this project.

The collection must:

• fulfill both the needs of a cat and its owner

• allow cat and owner to be close

• have unifying details between pieces

• exemplify extreme simplicity

• be geometric

The collection should:

• be long-lasting

• be capable of being produced repeatedly for sale

• minimize waste throughout production process

• be made of renewable materials

The collection could:

• incorporate circular economy

• have knockdown components

• make use of reclaimed materials

INTENT

The Cat+Human Desk allows a cat to be close to their owner without interrupting them as they work or play. The shelves allow a cat to hang out within an enclosed space, and be elevated off the floor. The openings on the top make it easier for a cat to access the shelves. The felt pads on the shelves provide comfort for the cat, and are removable.

The Cat+Human Lamp also functions as a scratching post. The shape of the lamp is inspired by weighted pedestal tables with impossibly small footprints. The Cat+Human Lamp is weighed down with cast iron plates for stability when a cat scratches on it. The body of the lamp is clad with four panels that are wrapped with sisal rope. The panels can be removed by using an Allen key to unscrew bolts that are hidden behind the rope. If the rope is worn out in certain areas, the panels can be switched around or flipped over to maximize the life of the rope. If the rope gets totally worn out, the user can replace it with new rope. To wrap a panel with rope, a user would start by tucking the lead end of a coil of rope into a groove in the edge of a panel, weave around the L-nails until they start to run out of rope, and then tuck the tail end of the rope into a groove again. The user would repeat the process to continue where they left off.

I try to create designs and choose materials that are sustainable. The Cat+Human Collection's design and fabrication process minimizes material waste. For example, each panel on the lamp is made of two staves that are glued together, rather than one large piece of wood with the middle scooped out. The collection is made of domestic wood, that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Both pieces are stained with a non-toxic water-based pretreatment, and finished with a low-VOC, plant-based hardwax-oil. The felt pads are made of wool mixed with other natural materials. The rope is made of natural fibers from the agave plant. Drum-shaped lamp shades typically have a translucent plastic backing to provide rigidity. To avoid using plastic, I tried to use tension between the top and bottom wire frames of the shade to create a smooth, ruffle-free surface on the kozo paper (which is hand-made and chemical-free). And, although mined and non-renewable, all the metals I used are infinitely recyclable.