Mouser manses

Viera architect Mario Arbore opted for a vintage ‘60-‘70s vibe with a fishing theme in his design for the Patricia H. Ladew Cat Foundation shelter in Oyster Bay, New York. MARIO ARBORE PHOTOS

Architect gives king of the jungle treatment to cats’ quarters

Cat-loving celebrities Beth and Howard Stern commissioned Arbore to outfit adoption rooms for North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization. In the ‘Piano Man’ room dedicated to feline fan Billy Joel, kitties cavort amidst Fender — rather, make that ‘Feline’ — speakers.

According to Britannica, “the practice of architecture is employed to fulfill both practical and expressive requirements, and thus it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic ends. Although these two ends may be distinguished, they cannot be separated.”

The online version of the venerable encyclopedia is primarily referring to architecture in terms of human needs and wants, but — as in the case of Viera architect Mario Arbore — the practice of good architecture is also relevant to cats.

While Arbore keeps his hand in architecture for humans, he has spent years focusing on stylish and unique — yet practical — habitats for felines. Forget those old, carpeted scratching posts because, for this “catitect,” the sky is the limit when it comes to imaginative playgrounds for kitties to climb, explore, scratch and nap. 

In the cat world Arbore creates, kitties can clamber up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, ride a New York City subway, stroll upon a cat-sized version of Venice’s Ponte Vecchio, become piano men, a la Billy Joel, or channel their inner David Hasselhoff atop lifeguard towers worthy of Baywatch — all while doing what they do best: being cats.

Arbore and feline friends play in a very special piano at North Shore Animal League’s ‘Piano Man’ tribute to Billy Joel. The instrument plays Joel’s music as the kitties scamper across specially designed keys.

The kitty rec room in the Ladew shelter is so vintage accurate that it even incorporates a mock mid-20th century stereo/television cabinet with videos of birds.

CAT CULTURE

In the kitchen at the Ladew shelter, fish is always in the oven, albeit this denizen of the deep is composed of wood.

As an architect living in Queens, Arbore hadn’t given much thought to cats, much less houses for cats. When a client opened a showroom in Miami, Arbore found himself with spare time as the project wrapped up. A helpful, cat-loving aunt suggested he could tackle unique cat trees. Arbore took off with the idea at the speed of Secretariat. After more than 24 years in architecture in New York, 15 of which were in his own practice, Arbore had a new species of client and a new set of design challenges.

“I asked myself what I could do as an architect to blend art and functionality,” he said.

In 2011, he moved to Viera to help his aging parents and began working out of his garage, letting his imagination roam with the concept of eye-stopping and well-built cat furniture. These are not the ugly creations tucked away in musty corners of the house, but rather conversation starters that take pride of place in the homes of the discerning felines fortunate enough to have owners who can plunk from $350 upwards to $2,500 of their discretionary income for these masterpieces. 

Primarily through word-of-mouth within the cat people network, clients began discovering Arbore’s new business, Square Paws. “I wanted something unique that didn’t look like the standard cat tower,” said Chicago resident and Arbore client Alyssa Marescalco, who ordered a lighthouse.

“This lighthouse far exceeded my expectations. The build is top-notch, and you can tell the love that goes into building these pieces. Even if you only have a vague idea of what you want, Mario will build off your ideas and make your dream cat furniture come to life.”

Arbore’s Square Paws cat furniture company, based in Melbourne, offers clever, well-built kitty furniture, such a cozy anchovy ‘cando.’

FELINE MYSTIQUE

These double ‘Love Cats’ were commissioned by the Sterns for their own felines.

Owned by four cats [who are also official product testers], Arbore knows well the intricacies of the feline mystique. He builds accordingly — to ensure fanciful play and rest spaces that are also safe and carefully crafted.

Mindy Eustis had eyed Arbore’s Catmas Tree and kept coming back to check it out. The Houston resident finally opted for it, despite a significant price tag.

“Best decision ever,” she gushed. “Every detail on this tree has been done with great care. When you look at the quality, and the amount of labor and workmanship, it is more than worth the price.”

Big-time cat people Beth and Howard Stern not only commissioned several custom pieces for their own lucky cats, but also tasked Arbore with building two themed adoption rooms for North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization. 

Since Stern’s friend, Billy Joel, is a big North Shore supporter, the couple asked Arbore to come up with a ‘Piano Man’ room, featuring a piano designed for cats. It plays Joel’s music as the kitties scamper across specially designed keys. The other room pays homage to Joel’s New York State of Mind with cat-safe versions of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and the loggia from Yankee Stadium. 

Even cat celebrities clamor for Square Paws. Social media feline sensation Waffle the Cat Barista, with the help of his human parent, asked Arbore to design a Starbuck’s coffee cup where the famous kitty could lounge in style. Speaking of cats and coffee, Arbore has also designed cat furniture for three cat cafes in Florida.

Arbore’s ‘Pawnte Vecchio’ translates Venice’s iconic bridge into a feline climbing attraction.

Prospective pet parents can cozy up to kitties available for adoption in the living room of the Ladew shelter in New York.

CAT CAFES

Arbore’s Chrysler Building for North Shore Animal League’s ‘New York State of Mind’ adoption room channels cats’ inner Kitty Kong.

Sanctuaries, shelters and cat cafes have taken such notice that, seven years ago, Arbore moved production from his garage to a full-fledged workshop in West Melbourne, which he shares with Brazilian master carpenter Benedito Faria.

Among the shelter projects are a Spanish Colonial cat room and a vintage Southern California room that Square Paws designed for the Pasadena Humane Society. While whimsical, the rooms are also designed to elevate cats to human-eye level so prospective pet parents can better connect with the kitties who need a forever home. 

For the 100 cats residing at the Patricia H. Ladew Cat Foundation shelter in Oyster Bay, New York, Arbore envisioned a vintage late ’60s/early ’70s vibe, a scenario where cats were homeowners who favored — surprise, surprise — a fisherman theme in their abode. In the kitchen, the oven is forever “cooking” fish, albeit this denizen of the deep is composed of wood. In the rec room, the cats can groove to a stereo or watch television in the mock mid-century modern cabinet. With digs like this, it’s hard to believe any cat would want to leave. 

“Mario really listened to our needs and issues, and came up with a design that not only blew us away but incorporated everything we needed and more,” said Susan Whittred, executive director of the organization. “We just wish we had more buildings for them to transform!”

Square Paws now offers clever scratch pads in designs that mimic cat food cans. Arbore was very particular about getting the pads into production. “I really didn’t want to go overseas,” he said. As it turns out, he didn’t even have to leave the county, much less the country, since Givr Packaging in Palm Bay was happy to do the manufacturing. 

To make already enticing products even better, Arbore donates 10% of net profits to agencies dedicated to animal rescue and refuge.

And that is the cat’s meow.

Both designed and manufactured in Brevard County, Square Paws’ ‘Endless Buffet,’ a tuna can scratch pad, makes both cats and their doting humans happy.

Visit squarepaws.com for more information on Arbore’s creations.

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