Parque Para Perros Español | Barcelona, Spain | Unit 21 | 2024
jeffrey.cheung.18@ucl.ac.uk

Historically, dogs have adapted to human-centric environments, and their intelligence is often evaluated from a human perspective. This project emphasizes the collaboration between humans and dogs in architectural design. It explores the analysis and spatialization of human movements and cues to understand how dogs perceive human movement sequentially, rather than generalizing a set of movements. Human movement is captured using Kinect and processed with Grasshopper for visualization and exploration of architectural elements. Meanwhile, Pita’s movement, as another design influence, is captured by a Python script that tracks different colors on screen and records Pita’s position in space, observing repeatable patterns. The interaction between the two parties forms a framework based on parameters derived from research and observations of Pita’s behavior, aiming to identify and utilize her unique maneuvers and patterns. By incorporating a feedback mechanism between human and dog, the project promotes co-authorship in building design. This methodology involves training Pita to perform specific tasks while allowing her spontaneous actions to influence the outcomes, integrating these moments into the collaborative space design of a dog museum, children space and a Dog Park.


Spatializing Human Cues
Captured by Kinect and analyzed through Grasshopper, the project examines the human movements I use to non-verbally communicate with Pita, decoding them sequentially into spatial form.

Dog Behavior Observation
Creating design tools according to the patterns observed from Pita, evaluated in relation to scale, color and material. These tools enable human interception, to engage with maneuver in space while allowing for unexpected moments within the framework.


Human-Dog Co-Authorship
A specific spatial requirement is set out according to the different zones within the children space. Utilising Pita’s behaviour when approaching various objects. The exploration aims to let Pita perform specific movement at different area and evolving the trick by adding or reducing the object placed to achieve the wanted result.


These spontaneous moments contribute to a co-authorship in building design, serving as a feedback mechanism between the two parties at varies scale.