Combining functionality and fun in a single design object was the proposal of architect Hao Ruan, from the LYCS Architecture studio, when creating the innovative CATable.
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At first glance, the CATable looks like a simple table with clean lines. But a closer look reveals that it hides something more: a true network of tunnels and internal passages, designed especially to spark cats’ curiosity.
While people use the table normally, cats find a playful space to explore, hide, and even rest, without disturbing their owners’ routine. As the creator describes it, it’s “a piece of furniture for humans and, at the same time, a paradise for cats.”
More than furniture: a concept of coexistence
The CATable is not limited to being fun or visually creative. The central idea is to rethink interior design in environments where humans and pets share the same space. For Hao Ruan, if a piece of furniture can capture the interest of a cat — an animal known for being selective and curious — it also has the potential to delight and serve humans. Thus, the project represents a new way of thinking about harmony at home: while the owner works or relaxes, the cat finds ways to play and interact without interrupting activities. 
CATable 2.0: modularity and new possibilities
The success of the concept led to the development of a second version, the CATable 2.0. Unlike the first, which was a single piece, the new edition is made up of four independent cube modules, each measuring 40 cm on each side. These blocks can be used together or separately, functioning as a tea table, benches, shelves, or other creative compositions.
For cats, the internal pathways remain, ensuring that the experience is just as engaging as the original. For owners, modularity opens the door to multiple configurations, adapting the furniture to the needs of each environment.
In short, the CATable shows that design can go beyond aesthetics and utility, becoming a bridge between humans and animals — functional, fun, and full of possibilities.
Source: LYCS. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
