Dezeen School Shows: an animal-friendly public seating and shade structure informed by dunes in the UAE is among the projects from the American University in Dubai.

Also featured is a pod with a puzzle-based feeding system for crows, and a cocoon-like space designed for peaceful interactions between humans and cats.

American University in Dubai

Institution: The Centre for Research, Innovation and Design (CRID), School of Architecture, Art and Design (SAAD)
Course: Multiple courses
Tutors: Maryam Shafiei, Imad Hanna, Edoardo Rizzuti, Poupak Parvaresh, Annamaria Lambri, Nicolas Turchi, Chadi El Tabbah, Mattia Gambardella and Georges Kachaamy

School statement:

"More than 110 student proposals emerged from an initiative spanning 10 courses, nine faculty members, 13 international jury members, government and industry partners, a public exhibition and a nine-minute documentary chronicling the complete journey.

"Organised by the American University in Dubai (AUD) through its Center for Research, Innovation and Design (CRID), in collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Livescale, the Urban Pod initiative evolved into a large-scale academic, cultural and industry collaboration involving students and faculty across architecture, interior design and the Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments (MUDDE) programmes.

"The initiative challenged students to reconsider conventional approaches to public furniture by asking how design might respond not only to human needs, but also to animals, nature and the broader urban ecosystem.

"Rather than being developed within a single studio, Urban Pod was integrated across multiple courses within the school that led to proposals exploring different approaches to coexistence through public seating, feeding structures, landscape integration, emerging technologies and digital fabrication."

Rest and Nest Pod by Hind Chehal

"The design intent behind this urban pod is the transcending of traditional street furniture by creating biophilic tree-like urban installations that serve both human and ecological needs simultaneously.

"The primary targeted animal is the urban bird population, offering vital, sheltered micro-habitats, nesting security and reliable feeding stations.

"Solar panels are seamlessly integrated into the modules. The robust, textured material, derived from recycled polymers or biocomposites, ensures longevity and resistance to harsh urban conditions.

"The entire structure, composed of vertically stacked, interconnected cylindrical modules resembling tree trunks (by providing shade and refuge for both species), is engineered for digital fabrication and 3D printing."

Student: Hind Chehal
Course: DDFT 466 – Advanced Computer Aided Design
Tutor: Imad Hanna

Crowtopia by Stephanie Hanna

"The Crowtopia Pod is a compact urban structure designed to foster coexistence between people and crows in public spaces.

"Inspired by the remarkable intelligence of corvids, the design combines human seating with dedicated habitats and enrichment features for birds.

"Its key element is a puzzle-based feeding system positioned above the human seating area, requiring crows to solve simple mechanical challenges in order to access food.

"This encourages natural problem-solving behaviour and sustained engagement while reducing food waste.

"Constructed from modular, 3D-printable components, the pod functions as both urban furniture and an ecological interface, promoting biodiversity, environmental awareness and respectful human-wildlife interaction."

Student: Stephanie Hanna
Course: IDES 391
Tutor: Edoardo Rizzuti

Ṭuma'nīnah by Youssef Lotfy

"Ṭuma'nīnah is an urban pod that invites stillness into the rhythm of the city, offering a shaded refuge for both people and urban birds.

"Drawing from the familiar gesture of stacked clay pots, the design transforms an everyday object into a poetic structure of rest, shelter and coexistence.

"Its earth-based materiality responds naturally to heat, allowing air to circulate while creating a cooler microclimate beneath its layered form.

"Within the hollow vessels, pockets for planting, water and bird feeding nurture a small living ecosystem. Simple, sustainable and replicable, Ṭuma'nīnah quietly reimagines urban furniture as a shared habitat for humans, animals and nature."

Student: Youssef Lotfy
Course: IDES 491 – Interior Design Studio VII: Comprehensive Design
Tutor: Poupak Parvaresh

Pawse by Haya Afify

"Pawse is an urban furniture pod designed to create moments of rest, care and coexistence between humans and dogs within public spaces.

"In dense urban environments, animals often exist alongside humans yet are rarely considered in public furniture design.

"Pawse challenges this separation by integrating human seating and dog feeding, resting, and parking systems into a single ecological structure. The pod's soft, continuous form creates a sense of shelter and belonging, while its open layout encourages interaction without enforcing it.

"Humans are invited to pause, sit and observe, while dogs can drink, feed, rest or wait comfortably. The design emphasises shared ground rather than ownership – reinforcing the idea that cities belong to all beings."

Student: Haya Afify
Course: IDES 391 – Interior Design Studio V: Furniture Design and Detailing
Tutor: Annamaria Lambri

Drift Pod by Azka Chaudhry

"Drift Pod is a modular, terraced urban furniture system designed to create a shared environment for people and cats. Its shifting rectangular slabs form generous seating platforms, shaded recesses, playful pathways and sheltered resting spaces for animals.

"Integrated feeding stations, a water feature, vegetation and a tree support comfort, biodiversity and everyday interaction.

"The composition's subtle offsets, rotations and vertical stacking create a sense of movement, as if the structure is gently drifting.

"Designed for 3D printing in recycled concrete or white PP pellets, Drift Pod is durable, adaptable and environmentally responsive."

Student: Azka Chaudhry
Course: DDFT 341
Tutor: Nicolas Turchi

Spike by Jana El Rassy

"The Urban Coexistence Pod is a modular public seating and shelter system designed to foster peaceful interaction between humans and urban cats.

"Derived from a tapered, hollow cone, its cocoon-like interior provides a sense of safety, calm and enclosure while maintaining visual connection with the surroundings.

"The semi-private space allows users to sit, lean, or rest, offering protection from wind, noise, and visual overstimulation. Beneath the elevated structure, a shaded space creates a micro-habitat for cats, protecting them from sun and rain.

"Open steel legs provide playful pathways, while integrated food and water stations support safe coexistence and gentle everyday interaction between species."

Student: Jana El Rassy
Course: IDES 491 – Studio VII: Comprehensive Design
Tutor: Chadi El Tabbah

Roller's Rest by Malak Shabaro

"The urban pod draws inspiration from the Indian Roller bird, translating its colours and fluid movement into a sculptural public space.

"Curved forms suggest wings in motion, while stained glass reflects the bird's turquoise, blue and violet tones through light and shadow. Rather than literal imitation, the design captures the bird's essence, creating a living landmark that blends nature with the urban environment.

"The pod acts as a shared habitat for both people and birds. Visitors sit and move through filtered light while birds use the integrated feeding and water elements in the canopy.

"With the Indian Roller in constant motion, the pod becomes a living space that encourages connection, awareness, and respect for urban wildlife."

Student: Malak Shabaro
Course: DDFT341 – Digital Design and Fabrication I
Tutor: Mattia Gambardella

Tree of Co-Existence by Alia Taher

"The pavilion reinterprets the tree through a branching canopy with mashrabiya-inspired perforations that filter light and encourage airflow.

"Elevated feeders and planted refuges support urban birds, while shaded alcoves and feeding drawers integrated into benches accommodate community cats.

"Timber seating, cool stone and planting create a comfortable shared setting that encourages coexistence.

"Recycled materials, water reuse and removable foundations reduce environmental impact, while parametrically designed, digitally fabricated components enable efficient assembly, repair and relocation."

Student: Alia Taher
Course: DDFT 466 – Advanced Computer Aided Design
Tutor: Imad Hanna

Wingfold by Marieh Khalighinasab

"Wingfold translates the open and folded states of a pigeon's wing into a sculptural seating pod. A sweeping canopy evokes flight and provides shade, while a lower, thicker edge creates shelter and privacy.

"Integrated feeding and water stations, together with planted pockets, create a welcoming shared space that encourages calm coexistence between people and pigeons."

Student: Marieh Khalighinasab
Course: DDFT 373 – Virtual Designs
Tutor: Georges Kachaamy



The Purch Pod by Hadithya Chandrasekar

"The animal-friendly Purch Pod is a compact public structure that combines seating and shade with integrated habitats for urban wildlife.

"Inspired by UAE dunes, ghaf tree roots and coral formations, the design features six petal-shaped canopy elements that provide natural shade and three tapered supports for stability.

"A built-in bench accommodates two to four users, while a recessed circular nook offers sheltered resting space for cats.

"The canopy edge incorporates a bird perch and hydration point. Constructed from lightweight, durable materials, the pod is designed for community spaces and parks, supporting both people and local wildlife."

Student: Hadithya Chandrasekar
Course: UDDE603 – Digital Techniques for Urban Design
Tutor: Maryam Shafiei

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and American University in Dubai. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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