The project involves the renovation of a residential unit approximately 25 years old, home to a young couple and two cats. The homeowners hoped to create a living environment where humans and cats could share circulation paths while remaining unobtrusive to one another.
The design is therefore grounded in low-saturation color tones and wood textures. Rounded edges and softened corners are introduced to alleviate the tension created by the rigid orthogonal structure of the older building. Spatial constraints—such as low beams, window air-conditioning openings, and ceiling height limitations—are reinterpreted as paths and resting points naturally suited to feline movement. Like the branches of a forest, the space supports everyday walking and moments of rest for both people and cats.
The first major highlight lies in a decisive reconfiguration of the original layout. The apartment was originally divided into four rooms, with the kitchen separated by existing partitions. This compressed the visual openness of the living and dining areas and limited the extension of natural light into the social area. By removing the wall between the kitchen and the living room, the living, dining, and kitchen areas were reorganized into an open-plan social area.
The appliance cabinet was integrated with the kitchen island, which now serves as an interface between cooking and social interaction. Whether cooking, preparing meals, dining, or hosting friends, the homeowners maintain a continuous visual connection with the living area, significantly enhancing interaction within the social area.
The second highlight is the reinterpretation of low beams as cat circulation routes. Catwalks extend along the ceiling beams and are finished with large-radius curves, while vertical climbing paths are formed through staggered wall-mounted platforms. This approach both responds to the existing building conditions and rewrites the language of the old house into a shared landscape for cats