Harmony in Highrises for Humans and their Loyal Companions: A canine inclusive design guideline for best practices

Abstract

The idea of a house has always been present since the beginning and as humanity underwent evolutionary transitions over the course of history, so did the understanding of what a house is. Architecturally, while houses have modernized with regard to construction methods, materiality, and technology, the essence of a home seems to have remained the same. At first glance, many who read the previous statement do not see anything wrong with it, but take a second and dig a little deeper and you will begin to realize the underlying issues within. If modern homes can be defined as permanent or semi-permanent spaces used as residences for one or more human occupants, which is clearly driven by the necessities of people, then what happens when society evolves? If the people change, shouldn’t the essence of a home change with it and be reflected in the architecture?

In the last few decades, there has been a noticeable surge in the canine population in North America, a trend that further accelerated in the wake of the 2021 pandemic (Institute 2022). While the concept of dog-inclusive architecture is still in its infancy, a comprehensive synthesis can be attained by exploring the realms of both canine behavioral psychology and selective architectural philosophies. Notable figures like Aldo Van Eyck and Jane Jacobs have contributed their spatial design philosophies in public realms (Jacobs 2011), serving as foundational references. Though they didn't specifically address dogs, Eyck, for instance, explored the concept of affordances – the possibility of action - through his playground designs (Strauven 2007). Additionally, and arguably more importantly, the work of Jakob von Uexküll, a Baltic German biologist, delves into animal behavior studies and introduces the concept of Umwelt, acknowledging the unique subjective worlds of animals and humans (Uexküll 2010). Uexküll argued that different species perceive and engage with their environments differently, emphasizing the importance of comprehending these distinct perspectives to truly understand animal experiences (Uexküll 2010). Therefore, to successfully create an architecture for both humans and dogs, we must first recognize the shift society underwent to coexist with dogs and then understand their Umwelt.

This thesis aims to tackle the social neglect towards our dogs as their presence has grown in our society and challenges what the new fundamental ingredients are that structure the essence of what a modern home should be. Specifically, this research will investigate how to create a canine-inclusive design guide for high-density North American urban landscapes, by reimagining high-rise residential architecture in order to improve the everyday quality of life for our canine companions. Concepts such as inclusivity, sustainability, and building science will be considered to help guide the research, which eventually will culminate in a final design proposal in Toronto’s Liberty Village as a successful canine inclusive example. It is our responsibility as Architects to understand the fundamental distinction between a house and a home, recognizing that both are integral to the creation of successful designs. While this thesis attempts to offer a fresh perspective on architecture, it also seeks to emphasize the profound significance of the bond between humanity and our loyal canine companions - between “man-kind” and “man’s best friend”.