British architecture studio Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects has designed a dog kennel wrapped in bone-shaped columns named Bonehenge.
Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects were informed by ancient structures and the inherent circling characteristics of cocker spaniels before they lay down to rest for the kennel, which was the winner of the inaugural Barkitecture competition at Goodwoof.
The kennel was designed specifically for Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects director Richard Portchmouth's own cocker spaniel Illy. It was built by craftsman Karl Lewin who constructed the kennel using Accoya wood.
It has an oval, elliptical-shaped plan that is surrounded by vertically-lined bone motifs, which recall the stones of ancient henges.
"The design is inspired by the cocker spaniel's hereditary characteristics of circling prior to settling down to rest – intuitively compressing long grass to make a soft bedding," said Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects.
"The oval concept informs the design of an elliptical pavilion encircled by a colonnade which introduces an important new order of Barkitecture – the 'Boneian' Order – to adorn the little palace and joyfully reflect Illy's regal demeanour," it continued.
"The structure evokes ancient henges - protective settlements and enclosures – to create Illy's new domicile – 'Bonehenge'."
The kennel was topped with a flat wooden roof, fitted with an oval-shaped skylight that echoes the plan of the kennel.
The Accoya wood was CNC cut to create the bone-like silhouette enclosure around the exterior of the bed. A lip surrounds the edge of the roof of the kennel to directs rainwater towards a spout – if the kennel should be kept outside.
Bonehenge was selected as the winning entry at Goodwoof's Barkitecture competition beating kennels including a Star Wars-informed entry from Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and a cherry wood geodesic dome created by Foster + Partners.
Barkitecture is a competition where architects compete to design innovative and contemporary dog kennels within a £250 budget.
In total 16 kennels were shortlisted in the competition at the Goodwoof dog event where each of the kennels was auctioned by Bonhams with their proceeds donated to the Dog's Trust.
In 2020, architect Asif Khan designed a table for pet owners that allows dogs to snuggle inside of a dimple on its surface. Eeestudio designed a brightly coloured dog training centre near Madrid that also includes homes for birds and other animals.
The photography is courtesy of Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects.