Architecture for Dogs at LBMA

World-class architects designing species-specific doghouses–how cool is that? This afternoon I was able to see some of the pieces being installed at the Long Beach Museum of Art for the west coast premiere of Architecture for Dogs.

The series of 13 custom structures was conceived by Kenya Hara, founder of the Hara Design Institute and Creative Director of MUJI, and ranges from practical to conceptual (above, left to right: Wanmock for Jack Russell Terrier by Torafu Architects, Beagle House by MVRDV) and playful to symbolic (below, left to right: D-Tunnel by Kenya Hara for Teacup Poodle, Mount Pug by Kengo Kuma).

I think the wildly imagined and meticulously executed museum show is a slam dunk because design and dogs are enormously loved yet rarely, if ever, combined. And the concept goes much further than exhibitions in Miami, Long Beach, and (eventually) Tokyo. Already, fans are able to download blueprints for each of the designer doghouses and encouraged to share images of their creations online. Less handy dog owners may also buy ready-to-build kits. Details can be found at architecturefordogs.com.

Architecture for Dogs will be open to the public from June 21 to September 3 at 2300 East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, CA. Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art website for hours and more information. See you there!