Architects Kathryn Findlay and Eisaku Ushida have developed a series of expressive dwellings known as the Soft and Hairy House [1].
These projects challenge traditional architectural norms by prioritizing sensuality and organic forms over rigid structures. The work represents a shift toward architecture that evokes tactile and emotional responses rather than purely functional utility.
The design philosophy was stimulated by a prediction made by Salvador Dalí during a 1922 meeting with Le Corbusier [1]. Dalí said, "The future of architecture will be soft and hairy" [1].
This vision manifested in several distinct projects across the globe. Findlay said this approach resulted in a hairy blue pod in Tokyo and a starfish beach palace in Qatar [1]. The designs move away from the sterile lines of modernism to embrace a more fluid aesthetic.
The concept has remained a point of interest for over 70 years [1]. By translating Dalí's surrealist prompt into physical structures, Ushida Findlay has created spaces that blur the line between habitable buildings and sculptural art, transforming the domestic environment into a sensory experience.
The collaboration between Findlay and Ushida focuses on these "unbroken spaces" that defy conventional categorization [1]. Their work continues to explore how unconventional materials and shapes can redefine the relationship between a resident and their home.
“"The future of architecture will be soft and hairy."”
The work of Ushida Findlay signals a departure from the industrial rigidity that dominated 20th-century architecture. By grounding their designs in the surrealist predictions of Salvador Dalí, the firm is pivoting toward 'biomorphic' architecture, where the psychological and sensory impact of a space is as important as its structural integrity.
