Interview about Pudu Pet House, winner of the A' Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design Award 2022
The Pudu pet house is a piece of furniture that pleases owners and their domestic animals at the same time. The design is composed of a canvas and a steel structure fixed together by pressure buttons. The set draws a fluid shape of a classic and minimalist pet house creating a roof, and a hanging bed with a pillow. The project has the goal to improve animals' well-being during resting moments giving them their own spot inside de house. Customizable with different options of colors and easy to clean, Pudu is also planned to reflect the owner's interior design style.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe Pudu Pet House was born from my desire to bridge pet comfort with modern interior design. I wanted to create a piece that didn't feel like a typical pet accessory but rather a seamless part of the home. My goal was to achieve a design that pets would love and owners would feel proud to display. The minimalist approach came naturally, as I’ve always been drawn to clean lines and simple, elegant solutions. This balance of aesthetics and functionality became the driving force throughout the project.
The hammock-like effect of the Pudu Pet House is rooted in the Brazilian way I approach design—prioritizing warmth, comfort, and resourcefulness while blending function with a natural aesthetic. I wanted to create a space that felt inviting and instinctively cozy for pets, much like the laid-back, welcoming environments we value in Brazilian culture.Balancing flexibility and stability was a thoughtful process. Canvas was a natural choice—it’s durable, adaptable, and has a certain simplicity that aligns with the effortless elegance I aim for in my work. To achieve structural integrity without losing visual lightness, I paired the canvas with a tubular steel frame, carefully engineering the tension to ensure the right amount of flexibility for comfort without compromising stability. The pressure button system was another practical solution, inspired by the Brazilian knack for solving challenges with creativity and simplicity. This combination of materials and methods reflects my approach to design—functional, approachable, and with an understated sophistication.
Winning the Silver A' Design Award was a significant milestone. It reinforced the idea that pet furniture can be more than functional—it can also be beautiful. This recognition motivates me to continue exploring ways to integrate pet products seamlessly into contemporary home aesthetics. I hope this accomplishment inspires others in the design community to view pet furniture as an opportunity for innovation and creativity.
The pressure button system was a solution that came from addressing the challenges of maintenance and assembly. I wanted a structure that could be easily disassembled for cleaning while maintaining its stability and shape. Finding buttons that could handle frequent use without compromising on durability was a challenge. After several tests, I found the perfect balance between functionality and reliability, ensuring the system was practical for pet owners.
I studied the sizes and behaviors of small and medium-sized dog and cat breeds to determine the ideal dimensions. My goal was to create a space that would feel snug and inviting for pets, without overwhelming the room it occupied. The proportions were carefully refined to ensure the structure was functional for pets of different sizes while maintaining the minimalist elegance I envisioned.
Canvas stood out for its versatility and aesthetic appeal. It’s durable, easy to clean, and aligns with the minimalist style I wanted to achieve. Unlike conventional pet bed materials, canvas offers a refined look that integrates seamlessly with contemporary interiors. The variety of textures and colors available in canvas also allowed for customization to suit different home styles.
Proa’s expertise in metal furniture was invaluable. They helped refine the steel frame, ensuring it was not only durable but also lightweight and visually light. Their input on manufacturing processes allowed me to push the design further without compromising stability or quality.
The dual functionality was inspired by the idea of reinterpreting the classic pet house silhouette in a way that felt fresh and modern. I wanted the design to be more than just a shelter—it needed to offer comfort and visual appeal. The fluid form naturally lent itself to a combined roof and bed structure, creating a cohesive and practical solution for both pets and their owners.
I see so much potential in blending pet needs with modern design. Moving forward, I’m interested in exploring sustainable materials, modular systems, and even smart technology integration. One of the biggest challenges is balancing the growing demand for eco-friendly products with cost and functionality. I believe there’s a future where pet furniture is not just an afterthought but a celebrated part of home design.
Balancing durability and visual lightness required careful consideration of the steel frame. The tubular steel had to be thick enough to ensure stability while keeping the overall structure lightweight and elegant. Prototyping was essential to test the load-bearing capacity and ensure the frame could support the canvas and the pet’s weight. The result is a design that feels sturdy yet unobtrusive, aligning perfectly with the minimalist aesthetic.
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