Try this for peak Islington: a luxury Japanese-themed dog kennel, complete with exposed beams and traditional straw matting, has been handcrafted by a Southgate Road architect to raise cash for charity.
The unusual doggy dream house, designed by Brian O’Tuama Architects, has special slots for dog toys, a slant roof, windows and fashionable wooden beams.
It will now be auctioned off in aid of animal charity the Blue Cross.
The Oriental inspiration came from Alfie, a Japanese Shiba Inu, who keeps the design team company in the studio.
Upon closer inspection, its two “chimneys” are actually funnels for food and water. A diagram for the Inu-Goya (Japanese for “kennel”) also proudly points out the “dog tatami” floor matting. Tatami is a traditional lightweight Japanese building material usually made from straw.
The dog house has indoor and outdoor spaces and you can see through some of the walls. The firm said this would let Alfie “always keep a watchful eye on the world around him”.
If you think this is for you (or your dog), it will be up for auction in May 2018, alongside a collection of other unique kennels by various designers.
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