American firm BFDO Architects has included a series of niches and pathways for shy cats to escape guests in its design for this Brooklyn home interior.

The row house, named House for Booklovers and Cats, was created for a couple who are both passionate about poetry and art, and their two cats.

One is a professor and poet, the other works as director of poetry and literature at the Library of Congress. As clients, they were seeking a colorful, light-filled home.

"They also wanted the house to provide accommodations for their two shy but inquisitive cats ? including ways for the cats to slip away from unexpected guests," said BFDO, an abbreviation of Barker Freeman Design Office.

Forming a main feature in the living room, a custom-made book shelf runs along the entire left side. It has dozens of cubby holes, and its top features two ledges that ascend from the middle, serving as a crawl-space for the felines.
"Shelves project to create steps for the cats to climb up to a continuous open ledge where they can observe activities below," said the firm.

At the top of each side of the bookshelf are crannies that lead up and connect to rooms on the floor above through trap doors. A central skylight casts light over the middle of the bookshelf.
This isn't the first time architects have had to cater for cats. A house and studio in Tokyo, a blackened timber extension in London and a loft in Taipei have also all been designed with walkways and ledges especia...