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Object
barkitecture
year
2025
Type
barkhouse
BarkHouse began as Beta’s answer to Goodwoof’s Barkitecture challenge: “From Nature, For Nature.” We were asked to rethink the dog kennel through a design lens. Cork emerged as a compelling material: lightweight, durable, and soft underpaw. A house grown from nature, where dogs can relax, refuel, and play in a space as thoughtful as our own homes.
INtroduction
Partnering with Sebastian Conran we explored form, function, and delight in tandem. Early sketches and scale models helped us understand proportions, balance, and the relationship between interior volume and outdoor presence. A hidden ball chute was woven into the design not as a gimmick, but as a playful gesture that turns the kennel into a moment of interaction. On the side, we carved out a discrete space for food and water bowls, making BarkHouse a mini “living room + café” for dogs.
strategy
Material and finish choices were equally intentional. We selected dark cork not just for sustainability, but for how it weathered, absorbs light and how it feels under paw. The richer tones lend a warmer, comforting ambiance inside, while the structure holds its geometry outside. A subtle splash of colour keeps the form feeling fresh and contemporary rather than traditional dog kennels.
Design
In the end, BarkHouse is more than a kennel. It’s a piece of Barkitecture, a sculptural, playful, and functional object that invites engagement. Dogs don’t just sleep there; they interact with it. Owners don’t just see a kennel; they see design. And because it’s made from cork, it treads gently in the environment it inhabits, bridging function, play, and nature in a single crafted object.
Barkhouse was auctioned off by Bonhams at Goodwood as a one off.
result
