This year’s Barkitecture theme revolves around ‘Dogs in space,’ envisioning dogs in a futuristic and space-ready habitat. But the theme also challenges architects and designers to imagine four-legged buddies in the cosmos and how they might live on another planet. Then, using this imagination to design an actual doghouse that is practical and robust to be used on earth.
One of the earliest dog kennel designs from the edition boasted a rock-like structure that was cosmic and earthy yet functional and livable. Award-winning architecture and interior design studio, Conran and Partners, leaps further and reaches for the moon for 2026 Goodwoof Barkitecture. Dubbed the Moon Dog, the kennel flaunts a geodesic, dome-shaped structure, engineered for the harshest climatic conditions.
The studio, in collaboration with London-based design agency Beta Design Office, returns for a fourth consecutive year with Moon Dog. Aligning with the astral theme, the conceptual design imagines the kennel as a safe shelter where furry babies can feel calm, comfortable, and protected, even in dangerous environments and external elements. It offers man’s best friend a safe space to rest on his voyages.
The concept of the dog kennel further explores the dog cruising through the space in his spacecraft, built to withstand extreme Moon/Mars conditions. However, it is also designed to be spacious, lightweight, and stable enough for spacecraft storage, which equivalents to storing your pooch’s toys.
“It’s a lightweight compact foldable structure made from titanium finished with gold foil is inspired by eskimo igloos, which also are used in hostile environments. The airlock entry-point is reminiscent of a dog’s head and snout which adds a certain dynamism.“
– Sebastian Conran of Conran and Partners
The covering of a gold foil is reminiscent of the multi-layer insulation (also called MLI), widely used on lunar landers and satellites for thermal reasons, protecting the spacecraft from heightened temperatures and from heating up. The concept design of the Moon Dog has a tall, thin antenna used to capture extraterrestrial signals and communicate with life on Earth and beyond.
The implementation and prototyping of the Moon Dog is carried out by Beta Design Office, giving dog parents a chance to be a part of their furry Martian’s expeditions. You will get to experience the magic of the Moon Dog, along with other space-age dog kennel designs at 2026 Barkitecture, where they will be auctioned off to raise money for charity partners Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
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