Student design wins bronze in biennial competition

Laura Urquiaga’s creative work project for her master’s degree in industrial arts has made cats and judges purrrr.

“Cat a Tat,” her freestanding, modular cat habitat utilizing sustainable materials, was awarded the bronze medal in the student category at the 2009 Northwest Design Invitational.

Urquiaga’s design uses non-formaldehyde bamboo, 100-percent biodegradable wool, recyclable coir/sisal panels and other materials. The scratching panels are removable, recyclable and/or biodegradable.

“Because the ‘Cat-a-Tat’ is modular, it can be customized to the consumer’s aesthetic values and financial needs whether it’s a one-cat household or a multi-cat household,” Urquiaga said. “The use of different materials is designed to meet the individual needs of each cat. The contemporary design, which can rotate 360 degrees, can be configured in various ways.”

“Cat a Tat” was among more than 80 entries representing 25 companies and universities. The Northwest Design Invitational is a biennial competition that has recognized outstanding design since 1988. Entries are evaluated according to the competition’s criteria of excellence: design innovation, user benefits, market benefits, ecological responsibility and appropriate aesthetics.