How to make Avant-Garde furniture for your DOG!

Up until recently designer, Avant-Garde furniture has primarily been associated with high-concept designs that are expensive and out of reach. Now, a series of architects and designers has brought this field of practice to the Pet World: for DOGS! For DIY pet owners, it's open source which means blueprints for these creations are available free to download.

Created by Japanese art director and designer Kenya Hara who brought us the creations of Muji in conjunction with Imprint Venture Labs comes a new project creation called Architecture for Dogs. Set to be released in a showcase in Miami on December 5th to be curated by Hara himself., the project enlisted 11 well-known architects including the works of Shigeru Ban, Konstantin Grcic, Atelier Bow-Wow and Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA. What's special about these designs is more than their form factor. In addition to innovative designs, each creation was made specifically for a certain dog breed. These breeds include: the Beagle, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Chihauhua, Dachshund Smoonth, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Terrier, Papillon, Pug, Shiba, Spitz, Teacup Poodle and Toy Poodle. All were chosen based on their popularity in the US.

The D Tunnel features a staircase in a box is by curator Kenya Hara made for the Teacup Poodle.

Known for his use of tubes, Shigeru Ban creates a maze for a Papillon.

MVRDV's created The Beagle House/Interactive Dog House

The whole concept of Architecture for Dogs is to alter the way we interact with our dogs. Through these constructions, they would allow the owner and their dog to see eye-to eye. In essence this would bring the experience of dog owners and their pets on the same level of equality.

Kazuyo Sejima's Bichon Frise design features a fluffy, cotton candy like cloud

The Wanmock is a re imagined hammock designed by Torafu for the Jack Russell Terrier.

Fit for a Boston Terrier, Sou Fujimoto replicated the scaffolding-like structure of his House NA project in Tokyo. | see the blueprint page

Atelier Bow-Wow's design is a ramp for a Daschund that helps it make eye contact with its owner. “We thought about stairs, but their bodies are too long and they risk hurting their hips,” said the architects, explaining their design for a folding slope.

"When we first began discussing the Architecture for Dogs concept with Kenya Hara, we were immediately intrigued," says Julia Y.C. Huang, Founder and CEO of Imprint Venture Lab, the business incubator behind Architecture for Dogs. "The multi pronged approach we were able to develop in conjunction with Hara allowed us to help develop this concept into a start-up that's unlike any we've ever seen."

The Chihauhua Cloud designed by Reiser + Umemoto inspired by the burrowing nature of the Chihauhau. ”We wanted to create something that would make the dog feel protected and safe,” said Reiser & Unemoto.

All of the designs you see here can be viewed on December 5, 2012 in an exhibit curated by Kenya Hara in the Miami Design District as it is a part of Design Miami/2012. In addition, the designs will be made available next Spring of 2013 in flat-packed versions of each design in retailers worldwide with a final exhibit scheduled in October of 2013 in Tokyo's Toto Gallery.

Toyo Ito created the four-wheeled Mobile Home for the Shiba.

This mountainous structure made of wooden components was designed by Kengo Kuma made for a Pug to climb on or sit under.

The set of tubes and wooden blocks featured are designed by Hiroshi Naito for the Spitz.

In the meanwhile, for those who can not wait to get their hands on one of these creations, all of the blueprints for each of these designs are available to download for FREE on Architecture for Dogs. You can also share your completed creations by uploading your photos of the project along with feedback as well as watch the animated instructions.

Sources: Architecture for Dogs | Sacramento Bee | NY Times Style Magazine