Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈 by Jimmy Yung is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 建築、樓宇及結構設計 Competition Category.

銀建築· 2026

Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈

by Jimmy Yung

Client: Happystudio

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 建築 Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈

Symbiosis Cat House（共生貓屋）係一座專為狹窄城市地段而設計嘅住宅大廈。呢座四層高嘅住宅令患有過敏症嘅人同貓咪可以共同生活。垂直分區策略將動物活動區域同人類生活區域分隔開。中央中庭產生被動式煙囱效應，毋須依賴大型機械系統就能夠排走致敏原。貓砂區域設有專用排氣裝置。無塗層混凝土、清水磚牆同穿孔金屬踏板減少咗塵埃同化學物質嘅釋放。一座貓塔沿住樓梯旁邊向上延伸，令全屋保持視覺上嘅連繫。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Symbiosis Cat House 住宅大廈是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This narrow row house utilizes a vertical zoning strategy to resolve the paradox of density and hygiene. Key features include a stepped setback profile to ensure future adaptability against high rise developments and a dual loop circulation system. The house functions as a metabolic organ, employing a central atrium to drive a stack effect that continuously purges allergens. This ensures that the living environment remains clear without reliance on heavy mechanical systems.
Dimensions & Packaging: The building dimensions are Width 5100 mm by Depth 17050 mm by Height 9700 mm. It occupies a site area of 90 square meters with a total floor area of 250 square meters across four floors. Structural components include uncoated concrete, fair faced brickwork, and perforated metal panels. A central vertical atrium provides passive ventilation while localized exhaust systems manage air quality.
Tags: Residential Architecture, Micro Housing, Hypoallergenic Design, Passive Ventilation, Vertical Zoning, Interspecies Living, CFD Simulation, Brutalism, Pet Friendly Architecture
Production Technology: The construction employs a low maintenance and hypoallergenic material strategy. Fair faced brickwork with calibrated porosity creates a breathing skin for natural air filtration. Uncoated concrete and perforated metal treads minimize the emission of chemical compounds and prevent the accumulation of dander. Aero acoustic zoning utilizes localized negative pressure at litter zones via dedicated mechanical exhaust to ensure high air quality in human zones.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was reconciling strict biological isolation with visual intimacy on a narrow site. The design had to anticipate future urban density while ensuring the interior remained breathable. Engineering a passive stack effect to isolate dander without extensive use of HVAC systems was the technical peak. The design balances private health requirements with public aesthetic value, proving that rigorous functional needs can yield a rhythmic living environment.
Research: Applied Architectural Research. Objectives included the optimization of health for multiple species in high density settings. Methodology involved spatial mapping and airflow simulation using CFD modeling tools. Participants included a family with severe allergies and two felines. Results showed a ninety five percent reduction in the spread of allergens via vertical zoning. Insights confirm that health is a spatial mechanism. This creates a replicable and neuro inclusive model.
Inspiration: The project originates from a critical conflict between respiratory health and the need for interspecies companionship in dense urban areas. The objective was to demonstrate that biological well being and domestic life can be integrated through spatial innovation. By scaling the internal volume to match the vertical requirements of felines, a nested system was created to protect the air quality for human inhabitants while ensuring freedom for animals.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2022 in Douliu City Taiwan and finished in 2024 in the same location.
Operation Flow: The house functions through a shared vertical journey. As family members walk up the stairs, cats climb up their own dedicated tower right beside them. Both paths rise in tandem around a central void to ensure constant visual and acoustic proximity. Key moments include watching companions move across the atrium or hearing them through light filters while the air remains fresh. This design succeeds by protecting the health of every inhabitant while keeping the emotional bond of the household intact.
Team Members: Design Director: Jimmy Yung
Designer: Tina Liao
Image Credits: All Images: Photographer Yi-Hsien Lee