DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
LJDG : 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.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
LJDG : “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.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
LJDG : 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.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
LJDG : 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.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
LJDG : 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.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
LJDG : 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.
