Introduction: HomeMade Modern DIY Geometric Doghouse
Despite its faceted, angular appearance, this modern doghouse is quite easy to construct.
Step 1: Supplies + Tools
¼” Sanded Plywood
Purchase at Home Depot
I used a single 4’ by 8’ sheet of ¼” birch veneer plywood. I had the nice people at Home Depot cut two 14” wide strips for me.
2x3s
Purchase at Home Depot
I used 2x3s and 2x2s to make the angled support blocks.
RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
RYOBI Circular Saw
Step 2: Pick a Size
The triangles should be about the same height of your sitting dog. Fletcher is about 14” tall sitting so I had the nice people at Home Depot cut two 14” wide strips of plywood for me.
Step 3: Measure, Mark and Clamp the Two Boards Together
The doghouse is made from equilateral triangles. Measure off the triangles and then clamp the 2 boards together.
Step 4: Cut the Plywood
Once the triangles have been marked, use the laser guide on your RYOBI circular saw to follow the lines and cut the triangles.
Step 5: Measure and Cut the Angled Blocks
There are 2 ways to cut the angled support blocks. If you only have a 5-1/2” diameter circular saw, measure and mark the 2x3s as shown in the diagram.
If you have a 7-1/4” diameter or greater circular saw, set the blade to cut at a 42 degree angle and cut the blocks.
Step 6: Sand the Edges
Use 200 grit sandpaper to smooth down the edges.
Step 7: Assemble
Screw the angled blocks to the plywood triangles and screw the pieces together.
Step 8: Cut the Pieces for the Entry
I cut several of the plywood triangles in half to make a nice doorway for Fletcher.
Step 9: Add Supports
Add in additional wood blocks to strengthen the dog house.
Step 10: Done!
Good luck making your own geometric doghouse, and please email or tweet photos to @benuyeda or ben@homemade-modern.com. For more detailed instructions, dimensioned drawings and different variations of the project, check out our soon-to-be-released book.
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28 Comments
3 years ago
I would like to make this but at 11.5" high. How to I calculate this and create an equilateral triangle? Any help would be great!
6 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! Want to build a guest house like this. Lovely! Or maybe a ....... dog house :-)
7 years ago on Introduction
well...played...again!
*slow-clap
Seriously, the way in which you utilize simplicity makes me want to burn down, throw put, or otherwise destroy everything i have so that i can declutter my life and make simplicity as beautiful as you do!
So...im off to the store....plywood to buy!...in inches
8 years ago on Introduction
Am I missing something? The geometry teacher in me says your dimensions are not right if these sides are equilateral triangles. If they are 14" tall, then all three sides should be about 19.8" long. And since you used angles for the angle blocks, might just as well use 60 deg angles to double check the triangles.
As another pointed out, it will likely roll pretty easily.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
If using Pythagoras theorem you must sqrt( (8 1/4'')^2 + (1'2'')^2) is almost 1'4 1/4'' of the hyphotenuse, then check the other sides and must be equal, therefore angles are of 60°
8 years ago on Introduction
Is there any way I could build these in a larger scale? I got two labs and a staffie, so I sorta need them to be strong...
8 years ago on Introduction
Buckminster Fuller approved!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Exactly!
8 years ago on Introduction
Just remember that Martian Climate Orbiter which was lost in 1999, Lockheed Martin engineers used numbers as American units rather than Metric. Even NASA has been fully metric since t 1990. Conversion is not a good solution - just use an error-resistant system from the start.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
This site lacks a Like button. Thank you! I think the same thing.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Since y'all appear to have a problem with somebody who was just trying to be helpful, I've removed my original comment - have a nice day, unless you can find a problem with that, too.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
There's just one problem with that, if your brought up using one system it's very difficult to think in another. I doesn't faze me to switch back and forth, because I was brought up using both, but most of the guys I work with can't wrap their minds around the metric system. I had a big discussion the other day when one of them wanted to drill and tap a 6mm hole, when they asked me what size to drill the hole, I told them 5.5 mm, they asked what "real" size was that. LOL, I prefer the metric system myself, but since I live in America, I use what's commonly know when discussing measurements with most people.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yeah that's fair enough - make the kids learn metric and this problem vanishes in 50 years.
My country went metric in 1967, my car was built new in 1973, and it still has a MPH speedo.
8 years ago
I do like it...
8 years ago on Introduction
This looks like it could also be used as a nesting box for a chicken or chickens!
8 years ago on Introduction
Looks like a great fun toy for cats, too - but I'd pad the outside with quilt batting or something similar to avoid banging up furniture when they 'run' inside the 'house' and it goes skittering around the room!
8 years ago on Introduction
Well done!
I want to make one of these, about 6 foot diameter, so when I'm told "You're in the doghouse!", I can say "Okay, cool!" and off I go to hang out and be as happy as... this dog!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I've been planning for a long time to make an instructable for a scalable icosahedron (based on wanted final height or volume) that could easily suit that need... perhaps this summer.
8 years ago
It's pretty cool. But I don't have a dog. :(
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Make one for yourself.