The brief was to design a place that would be located at a space in the Park Hill flats, Sheffield, that tackled an issue such as loneliness, depression or obesity.

 

My solution to this was a cat cafe since physical contact with a cat triggers the production of the hormone Oxycontin, which reduces the stress hormone cortisol to make you feel relaxed and happy. And playing with a cat can increase the production of dopamine and mood-boosting serotonin, which helps reduce depression and regulate anxiety.

 

The cafe functions by having customers come in and pay based on how long they wish to stay, with the minimum time being 30 minutes and the longest time allowed being 90 minutes, and they’re given free food and drinks during that time and they’re allowed to interact with the space and play with the cats included.