Beautiful architecture isn’t limited to humans—architects and designers are creating stunning structures for animals too, including this sculptural piece for the design-conscious cat owner. Designer Yoh Komiyama collaborated with Japanese cat product company RINN to craft the Neko Cat Tree, a beautiful tubular cat tree that’s a far cry from the ugly cat furnishings most are familiar with. Made with quality materials sourced from around the globe, the stylish and functional Neko Cat Tree makes for a beautiful addition to any home, but as Spoon Tamago reports, it isn’t cheap—pricing for the high-end cat playground starts at 1 million yen – approximately $8,830 USD.
The presumed goal of the sculptural Neko Cat Tree is to offer a private play space for cats without offending the owners’ design sensibilities. Its minimalist shape and earthy materials palette of timber, hemp, and marble help the object blend into almost any surrounding. Circular rods made of timber sourced from Japan’s Hida region clad the tree and are evenly spaced to allow for light and glimpses of the cat.
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“The spaces in between each cylindrical post provide glimpses, and thus convey the mutual presence, of both cat and human, maintaining a furtive connection between the two for a greater intimacy,” says a statement on Yoh Komiyama’s website. “As the axis of rotation is built in the outer structure, it can be opened like a door for easy maintenance.” Functionality was also built into the tree. The designer says the Greek marble base not only stabilizes the structure, but can also help regulate the cat’s body temperature. The tightly wound hemp at the base of the tree serves as a scratching post.
Via Spoon Tamago
Images by Tomooki Kengaku
