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Virginia Tech

Felinus Domus: A Veterinary Hospital for Cats in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Throughout time man has discovered that the human form, in all its harmonious proportion, can be used as a guide, gauge and tool to design and build structures. However, the human figure has not been the only organic form used to create architecture. Many animals create dwellings that synchronize with not only their own unique physical characteristics and survival instincts, but with their aesthetic preferences as well. It is logical that a design should respond to its surroundings, program and most importantly, its inhabitants. This thesis design is for two specific occupants: the cat and the human. They are both meant to inhabit the building wholly and simultaneously. The way each of them experiences and uses the space, however, differs greatly. For a building to survive it needs many of the same things as living creatures: sunlight, air and movement, to name a few. It also needs to function like a living creature. It must breathe, sleep, respond to the changing seasons, and adapt over time. This thesis is an investigation of how both human and cat can dwell in a building of harmonious proportion, scale, light, and material.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2004

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Butterworth, Mary Michele
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Holt, Jaan
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Rott, Hans Christian
  • Emmons, Paul F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 23

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-08142007-205006
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34535

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Butterworth, Mary Michele. Felinus Domus: A Veterinary Hospital for Cats in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34535