Every now and then, a design makes you wonder: Why hasn’t this been done before? That was my first thought when I saw BarkHouse, a modern dog kennel made entirely out of cork. Yes, cork. The stuff you usually associate with wine bottles or pinboards. And honestly? It works beautifully.
BarkHouse isn’t trying to be cute. It’s not shaped like a bone, or painted in cartoony colors. It’s earthy, clever, and quietly elegant—something you wouldn’t mind seeing in the corner of your garden, or even your living room. And it’s made with a kind of sincerity that’s often missing from pet products, which tend to fall somewhere between over-designed and just plain ugly.
What sets this kennel apart, beyond the material, is the thinking behind it. Created in response to the theme “From nature, for nature” as part of Goodwoof’s Barkitecture design competition, BarkHouse isn’t just a shelter. It’s a small, multifunctional space where dogs can rest, refuel, and play.
Let’s break that down. The rest part is easy, cork is naturally soft, insulating, and gentle on paws. It also has a beautiful texture and weight to it that makes the kennel feel solid without being heavy. The refuel part? There’s a built-in side space for food and water bowls. Smart. Thoughtful. Not an afterthought.
But it’s the play part that really got me. Designed by Beta Design Office, BarkHouse has a hidden ball chute—drop a ball into what looks like a chimney, and it shoots out the front. It’s a tiny detail that completely shifts the mood of the piece. Suddenly, this isn’t just a shelter—it’s an experience. One that involves both dog and owner. And that, to me, is good design: it brings people (and dogs) together in unexpected ways.
Material choice also plays a huge role here. Dark cork isn’t just sustainable—it looks and feels like something that belongs in nature. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it also doesn’t disappear. There’s a calm confidence to it. Add in a few bold accents or color pops, and you’ve got a structure that feels both grounded and modern.
More than anything, BarkHouse feels like it was designed with empathy—not just for the animal using it, but for the humans who live alongside them. It respects the landscape, it respects the dog, and it respects the people who want better design in their daily lives, even for their pets.
