Portsmouth University graduates showcased an innovative dog kennel design to over 12,000 visitors at Goodwoof, one of Britain’s premier canine festivals, with their creation selected among just 11 worldwide entries.
Former students from the University’s School of Architecture, Art & Design presented a specially designed kennel at the prestigious dog festival, Goodwoof. Their creation was amongst only 11 innovative dog kennels chosen for display in the festival’s Barkitecture competition, with submissions received from architects worldwide.
The 2025 competition theme “From Nature; For Nature” inspired all designs, with particular emphasis on natural, locally sourced and sustainable materials. Entries were assessed on canine wellbeing, durability, architectural innovation and, crucially, how much dogs enjoyed them. Kevin McCloud, Bill Bailey, and The Duke of Richmond served as judges for the interactive exhibition, where dogs could explore and test the kennels themselves.
Crafted in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries’ Eldon 3D Workshop by expert technicians, the design dubbed “The Burrow” emerged from collaboration between the University’s School of Architecture, Art & Design, Randell Design Group, and New Square Property. The team included Laura van Beek, an MA Interior Architecture and Design graduate.
The Burrow’s distinctive features were designed to revolutionise canine comfort by appealing to dogs’ natural instincts, enabling them to spiral into their snug den as they would in nature. The kennel’s standout feature is its capacity to divide into two ‘open nests’, perfect for multi-dog households or different sleeping preferences.
Designers examined various natural architectural forms created by wildlife, observing how dogs circle before settling down and how foxes burrow deep underground. They noted how mammals seek secure sleeping spaces reminiscent of the womb. This concept was transformed into a 3D model, with interior sections carved and scraped in a burrow-like manner.
The Randell Design Group’s office dogs, Milo and Millie, deserve special recognition for their dedicated kennel testing. Milo, a Cockapoo who enjoys sniffing and digging, and Millie, an Australian Labradoodle whose passion is beach running and mud-rolling, provided valuable feedback.
The festival concluded with a charity auction of all kennels, where The Burrow raised £1,000 for the Wild at Heart Foundation—the second-highest amount achieved at the auction.
Nicola Crowson, Associate Head (Students) in the School of Architecture, Art & Design, commented: “The exhibition proved enormously successful. Whilst we didn’t claim victory, being shortlisted and having our final design viewed by over 12,000 people throughout the weekend created a brilliant experience for our graduates. The collaborative nature with Randell Design Group truly demonstrates how our partnerships with local businesses and industry support the University’s wider civic mission.”
Jo Kroes Randell, Director of Randell Design Group, added: “The entire design and participation journey was wonderful, and we’re proud of our collaborative achievement.”
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