Silver Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design · 2023
Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
- A' Design Award 2023 Silver Winner in Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: La Jato del Gato
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 49,087
- Verification code 5403AC4CEE · Verify this award
About Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
The Mocats (Modular Cacoons for Cats) are modular elements for feline environmental enrichment and are made up of a series of pieces of Cardboard and Plywood, joined by an internal structure. The cardboard pieces form the floor, the ceiling, and the internal walls of the modules; while plywood pieces form the internal structure and external walls. This multifunctional and eco-friendly furniture, allows cats to scratch, climb, hide, observe, sleep, and play; and can adapt to the different lifestyles and spaces within the homes.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The MoCats (Modular Cacoons for Cats), are multifunctional and eco-friendly furniture that allow your cat to scratch, climb, hide, observe, sleep and play; that can adapt to your lifestyle and the different spaces within your home.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Independent module: 38 cm high x 38 cm wide x 25 cm deep
Assembly: the dimensions vary according to the form of assembly.
*The dimensions of the MoCats can increase in all their dimensions according to the space of the homes and the breed of the cats. - Tags
- Ecofriendly, cats, pet products, cardboard, multifunctional, modular, flatpack
- Production Technology
- The MOCATs are made up of a series of pieces of Cardboard and Plywood, joined by pressure by an internal structure. The cardboard pieces form the floor, the ceiling and the internal walls of the modules; while plywood pieces form the internal structure and external walls.
We use digital design programs to create and optimize part templates and laser cutting machinery to manufacture each part of the module. - Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was to come up with a manufacturing process that did not include the use of toxic additives and, at the same time, allowed manufacturing to be quick and easy.
On the other hand, the prototyping process was also complicated, due to the time it takes to carry out each test; because we not only had to verify that the product works at the moment, but we also had to evaluate its results in medium and long term. - Project Duration
- We started testing the first prototypes in January 2017 in Lima, and ended also in Lima in January 2021.
- Operation Flow
- Cats use meowing to communicate with us, and we should use scents to communicate with them. That is why the moment of interaction with the modules is the precise moment where we generate communication between cats and their owners.
That is why we seek that the product is not only functional, but also interactive. We want people to leave their scent when assembling each module, when configuring the different circuits, when changing parts and when playing with their cats.
Likewise, we give both users freedom of decision. Cats get it through multifunctionality; and their owners, by having several design options, so they can choose the pieces and configurations that best suit their lifestyle. - Research
- We investigate feline behavior, in order to fully understand how the brain of cats works; for correctly enrich the environment and improve its quality of life. Likewise, prototyping help us define: materials; the dimension and resistance of the structure; weather resistance; the product assembly process; the user experience; the acceptance and frequency of use of the module by the cat; the improvement of the bond between the cat and its owner; the improvement of the behavior of the cat.
- Inspiration
- We are a couple of architects and cat owners, we create spaces that are totally for our cats, but at the same time can be adapted to our different daily activities.
This cat-scale spaces are based on the principles of seed accommodation, flexibility and modulation. That is, an element of progressive growth that begins as a minimum space, which will grow and change over time according to the needs throughout the life of the cat, the number of cats and the activities carried out in the home. - Image Credits
- Image #1-5: Photographer Carolina Schwalb
- Patents
- "Casa Modular para Mascotas. Nº002215-2018/DIN. Brian Geiser . 2018. Lima, Perú.
Colors of Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
Get Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
Eco-Friendly Modular Cat Furniture
We create sustainable, modular cat furniture that grows with your feline family. Our eco-friendly designs combine cardboard and plywood to offer scratching, climbing, hiding and play spaces that adapt to your home and lifestyle. Winner of the prestigious A' Design Award.
G0E7 ShopDesign Interview about Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
The main idea was to create a multifunctional, modular space that truly meets a cat’s natural needs —climbing, scratching, hiding, observing— while also fitting harmoniously into human spaces. We wanted a piece that doesn’t just coexist in the home, but enhances the relationship between cats and their humans. The inspiration came from observing how cats communicate through scent and marking, how they move through spaces at different heights, and from our love of modular, adaptable systems.
We focused on creating a system that is sustainable, beautiful, and functional —one that gives cats the freedom to choose how they use it, while giving humans the chance to feel part of the experience through the assembly process. We wanted to strengthen the bond between humans and cats, while also addressing common behavioral and environmental needs.
We plan to keep improving the system —adding more modules and configurations, exploring new textures and sensory elements, and adapting it to different spaces and even other species. We also hope to take it to new markets internationally, and to keep evolving it with feedback from users.
This design took about six years of research, prototyping, and testing with real cats and their humans. It evolved gradually as we observed what worked and what didn’t, refining both the details and the overall experience.
This was not commissioned —it was born out of a personal need. Our own cat started showing signs of stress due to an inadequate environment, and we realized most products on the market didn’t address his needs properly. That inspired us to create something better.
We produce the design ourselves through our startup, La Jato del Gato. We handle everything —from design to production— in-house to ensure quality and sustainability.
It combines everything I’m passionate about —cats, design, emotional experiences, modular systems, and human-animal communication. It’s also a response to a personal story, so it felt natural and necessary to design it.
I drew inspiration from architectural modular systems and from designers like Bruno Munari and Peter Zumthor, who taught me to focus on atmosphere, play, and the user’s sensory experience.
Cat owners who care about their pets’ well-being and also value good design in their homes —people who see their cats as family and want to create a better shared environment.
It integrates all of a cat’s key behaviors into one adaptable system, while also considering the human side —the aesthetics, the assembly experience, and the sustainability. It’s more than just furniture —it’s a tool for communication and bonding.
“MoCats” comes from “Modular Cats” —highlighting the modular nature of the system and the freedom it gives to adapt to each cat’s unique personality and each home’s specific needs.
Sketches on paper, mock-ups with cardboard, CAD software for precision, and digital fabrication tools like laser cutters and CNC machines. We also kept an inspiration gallery of references and test photos.
The way it invites both cat and human to interact with it —the human assembles and leaves their scent, the cat marks it and chooses how to use it, and together they create a shared experience. That emotional dimension makes it unique.
I worked closely with Vanessa, who focused on research and the macro design aspects. We also consulted veterinarians, ethologists, and industrial engineers to validate the functionality and safety of the system.
Technology allowed us to prototype quickly and refine details with precision. Digital fabrication made it possible to test ideas and produce sustainably while maintaining high quality.
Yes —we researched feline behavior, neurobiology, and environmental needs. We also observed cats in real homes over long periods, noting their preferences and reactions to different materials, heights, and configurations.
One challenge was balancing stability and lightness —making it safe and durable without being bulky. Another was finding materials that met our environmental goals while standing up to a cat’s claws and weight. Finally, testing with cats was unpredictable but very insightful.
We wanted to share our philosophy and our story with a wider audience —to show that thoughtful design can improve not just human lives but also animal lives and their bond with us.
I learned to observe more patiently, to let the users —in this case, cats— guide the process. I also improved my ability to translate emotions and instincts into form and function.
Only that I hope more designers start to see animals not just as an afterthought, but as real users of our environments —and that they deserve design that respects their nature while strengthening their connection to us.
Grand Interview about Mocats Multifunctional Cat Furniture
We chose cardboard and plywood because they complement each other perfectly —cardboard brings lightness, flexibility, and sustainability, while plywood adds strength and durability. Together they allow us to create a product that feels warm and natural, yet strong enough for everyday use. Both are renewable materials, and by designing precisely, we minimize waste and avoid unnecessary additives. This combination also allowed us to maintain the modularity and adaptability we envisioned, while keeping the product eco-friendly.
As architects, we see spaces as dynamic and adaptable. We approached MoCats the same way we would design a home —thinking about flow, hierarchy of spaces, and how the user (in this case, the cat) interacts with their environment. Modularity came naturally to us because it’s a solution to changing needs, small spaces, and customization —something we often deal with in architectural projects. It also allowed us to give owners flexibility to adjust the product to their cat’s personality and their own home.
What amazed me the most was realizing how differently cats perceive the world. Their senses are highly developed, and they experience their surroundings in a way that’s completely different from us —with their whole body, and from another perspective. Their instinct to seek height, to feel in control of their territory, to separate certain activities —all come from their wild ancestry, because cats are not yet 100% domestic. That instinct is still there, and if we ignore it, behavioral problems and even health issues can appear.We also learned that no two cats are the same —what works for one might not work for another. That’s why we emphasize observation as the most important tool. By simply watching how a cat moves, rests, or reacts, you can learn what they really need. MoCats was shaped by this philosophy: creating something that adapts to each cat, rather than forcing a single way of use.
Cats see their home as their entire world —and within that world, they naturally separate activities like eating, using the litter box, and hunting behaviors into different zones. But when it comes to climbing, observing, hiding, and resting, we believe these should all be available in the same place, so the cat can choose what they want to do at any moment. We don’t want to force specific activities —we want to give them freedom and control.Even more importantly, we designed all of these activities to integrate scratching and marking. Visual and scent marking are vital for a cat —it’s how they claim the space, feel secure, and maintain a sense of belonging. That’s why MoCats ensures that no matter how you reconfigure or move the modules, the cat can always mark and feel ownership. That creates positive behavior and reduces stress —it helps the cat feel “in their natural freedom,” even while living indoors.
We spent a lot of time experimenting with joinery techniques, laser cutting, and optimizing geometries to achieve strength without relying on glues or harmful coatings. The assembly system itself is one of our proudest innovations —we designed it entirely from scratch. It’s what makes MoCats work: it allows infinite configurations, keeps the structure stable, and makes it intuitive for owners to assemble without tools or adhesives. Even our finishes are minimal —we trust the natural beauty and resilience of the materials, and the integrity of our unique assembly system.
Cats communicate with each other through scent and non-verbal signals, and with humans through vocalizations —but part of what makes them feel secure is mixing their scent with yours. We thought it was only fair that, just as they adapt to communicate with us, we should also adapt to communicate with them —through scent. That’s why we designed MoCats to be assembled from scratch: to let owners unconsciously leave their own scent on the modules during the process, while the cat does the same. This helps create a shared territory, where both feel they belong. The modularity also invites humans to keep interacting and rearranging, creating new moments of bonding over time.
We approached stability as if we were designing a real building. The entire structural logic is integrated into the system: the plywood panels work like columns, the rods that hold everything together function as beams, and the locking anchors make the whole piece behave as a single, cohesive structure. Stability also depends on the shape and proportions —we developed widths that only allow certain heights, while wider versions can safely go much taller. Just like in architecture, as the base gets wider, the thickness of the rods and the cardboard “floors” increases proportionally to support more weight. The key is that all of this comes together thanks to the anchoring system, which unites the modules into one stable whole.
I believe digital manufacturing will democratize good design. It allows designers to create thoughtful, customizable products that can be fabricated locally or even at home, reducing shipping and waste. MoCats shows that it’s possible to make pet furniture that is both sustainable and elegant —I hope it inspires others to see eco-design not as a compromise, but as an opportunity for creativity and better living.
We wanted owners to feel like they were building something for their cat, not just buying an object. The assembly becomes a shared moment —the cat explores and claims the pieces while the owner puts them together. Cats love mixing their scent with ours —it’s how they feel secure and connected. That’s why we made MoCats modular and to be assembled from scratch, so both human and cat leave their mark on it, creating a shared territory that strengthens their bond.
Being both architects and cat owners means we see both sides clearly —we want beautiful spaces for humans, but also functional, enriching environments for cats. That’s our vision moving forward: to keep creating products that respect the needs of both species, with designs that feel at home in any space while truly improving the lives of the animals we love.