Homes Designed for Living with Dogs｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms7Picks｜A Home Nurtured Together with the Family Dog

Dogs are family, and accounting for their comfort in residential design has a direct impact on human quality of life. Measures such as slip‑resistant floor finishes, the selection of wipeable, stain‑resistant materials, a shower or wash station to clean paws after walks, circulation routes that allow dogs to move freely, and doma‑style entry zones or subtle level changes to facilitate smooth access to the garden are all important. By integrating these elements from the early stages of architectural planning, it is possible to realize homes where dogs and people live together comfortably. The architectural practice conducts careful interviews regarding breed, number of animals, and daily routines, then designs spaces that thoughtfully support life with one’s dog. Please review the case studies of residences where everyday life with dogs is vividly brought to life.

This two-family courtyard house is planned on a flag lot and designed for a household living with five pet dogs. The long approach is designed to be enjoyed as an integral part of daily life. Interiors are grounded in natural materials while selectively employing odor-resistant and scratch-resistant finishes and surfaces to accommodate cohabitation with pets. The courtyard functions as a "dog yard for five dogs," gently dividing yet connecting the households, and serves to secure daylighting, natural ventilation, and privacy even in a densely developed residential context. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof, reflecting consideration for reduced environmental impact.

A single-story courtyard house situated in an urban residential neighborhood. Bordered by a busy road, apartment buildings, and retail premises, the site required measures for noise reduction and privacy, prompting the introduction of an internal courtyard and an inward-facing plan. The U-shaped plan links the entry to the kitchen and dining area, and extends to the sunlit south wing housing the living room and children’s rooms; from the entrance the north wing accommodates a nail salon and a bedroom. The interior is predominantly white, with furniture and the kitchen used as accents to produce a clean, modern aesthetic.

This is a home for a family of four, themed around living comfortably with dogs and cats while respecting each family member’s hobbies and personal time. Emphasizing functionality, efficiency, and a streamlined storage strategy, the fittings and arrangements are designed to support comfortable daily living. The building is an almost single-story courtyard house, achieving a sense of security that is less affected by changes in the surrounding environment and providing barrier-free accessibility. The courtyard serves as a safe play area for pets, and the three-dimensional circulation from a catwalk in the living room to a cat terrace creates rich, varied spaces for the animals as well.

This single‑storey dwelling was built on a lot adjacent to the wife’s family home, designed for the family and their dog. The couple, who relocated from Shonan, chose to live near the sea when remote work became an opportunity. Seeking an environment for the husband who enjoys surfing and for their dog to run freely in the garden, they created a new place to live. Centered on an LDK (living–dining–kitchen) that opens onto a south‑facing wood deck, the layout is organized like an open‑plan, one‑room arrangement in which the various spaces are gently connected. It is a "nestle" home where the family naturally comes together and cultivates tranquil time.

This is a two-family residence that replaced two long-inhabited houses. Making use of the site at the end of a T-intersection, the opening strategy that allows sightlines to pass above the roadway and a large window guided by a curved wall compose a space in which the streetscape and sky naturally expand into view, aiming to create an urban dwelling that nevertheless feels open. The building is arranged in an L-shape to deliver soft natural light to many rooms, and with dog-friendly circulation and a second-floor LDK with a built-in bench, a living environment is realized in which home, work, and the neighborhood are connected calmly.

This is a two-family house situated on a site with expansive rural scenery. To admit the fields spreading to the south and abundant daylight into the living spaces, the building is arranged elongated on an east–west axis so that each room can enjoy views and natural cross-ventilation. The parent household is located on the first floor and the child household on the second; by sharing only the entrance, an appropriate balance of separation and independence is achieved. Each floor is provided with an extended terrace to deepen the connection with the garden and the surrounding landscape. A green front yard open to the neighborhood is also included, creating a residence where the changing seasons can be appreciated and a relaxed pace of life prevails.

This residence has been reconfigured around a simple, monochrome interior palette. The existing layout was re-evaluated, and while providing a bedroom, two children’s rooms, and a study, the dining kitchen was relocated to a position adjacent to the terrace. By carefully adjusting partitions while capitalizing on the character of the structural frame and openings, an open space was created that allows unobstructed sightlines to the Kamo River landscape beyond the terrace. Centered on a living room for spending time with the family dog, the home provides a comfortable setting where the family naturally gathers.