Enduring Tradition: a classical tribute to man’s best friend

In the spring of 2025 ADAM Architecture assembled a crack team of design enthusiasts with a passion for all things canine to submit an entry to the Barkitecture kennel design competition at the annual Goodwoof show at the Goodwood estate.

It was ADAM Architecture’s debut at the event, and we teamed up with two longstanding collaborators, Castellum and Taskworthy to create our entry, Enduring Tradition, which was presented and sold during the Bonhams Barkitecture Auction to raise funds for the Wild at Heart Foundation. The collection of kennels was judged by a panel led by Kevin McCloud MBE.

The 2025 theme From Nature; For Nature, invited designers to explore the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. Our response, Enduring Tradition, pays tribute to man’s best friend by reimagining the traditional kennel as a miniature architectural folly in natural materials, fit for canine royalty.

Inspired by timeless Palladian villas and the whimsical charm of cottage orné retreats, our design offered more than just shelter. It presented a stylish, rotating sanctuary that acknowledges what many already know: dogs don’t just live in our homes, they rule them.

Crafted from natural materials including timber and thatch, with a tree-trunk column (in honour of a dog’s lifelong affair with sticks), the kennel merged rustic craftsmanship with playful sophistication. The weathervane-guided rotation allows four-legged companions to chase the sun (or avoid the wind) with all the grace of a landed gentleman adjusting his drawing room shutters.

We were thrilled to take part in this competition and explore the connections dogs have with both the natural world and their humans. The design team began the process as usual with a thorough consultation with our four-legged clients to fully understand their needs. Once they had paw-printed on the dotted line we set to work creating a contemporary space rooted in traditional design.

The final product, Enduring Tradition, is a retreat into nature that mirrors the peace we all crave.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from concept to creation, featuring a special appearance from our very important clients (with tails) on our Instagram.