kid’s stuff

Rather than ranting on design revolutions this entry, I thought I’d let you know a little bit more about what I’m all about by sharing a fun little project I have been fortunate enough to be a part of for the past two years. It’s an event held once a year to benefit children’s charities called Cottages for Kids.  Basically architecture and contracting firms team up, donate design and build time along with gathering donations of materials to build some pretty fun playhouses that then are put up for auction.

My former office holds an in-house design competition each year among the employees to determine which design would be built.  Maybe it’s because I am immature or maybe just a kid at heart, but my little concepts have won the in-house competition two years in a row.  This year I teamed up with a talented artist out of St. Pete, Ms. Amber Quimby.  This event is so fun because with the help of some talented co-workers (i.e. Mr. Cameron Hughes–architect), I have been able to see my crazy little creations built each year and auctioned off for a good cause. 

An exciting element of the project is that they encourage sustainable design throughout all the entries. They recommend the materials and building methods to be as green as possible.  Right up my alley!

That being said, Here are some pics of the two silly “cottages” along with some notes highlighting a few of their best features.  You can see the final product changed slightly from the original concept…but such is the beauty of design!  Hope you like them.

2008 “tweet-crib”

modern/pop art style bird house made out of reclaimed shipping container & wood siding

climb up ladder to internal nest – “nestled amongst recycled bottle light wall”

fly the coop via zip-line

concept sketch- side elevation

concept sketch - bottle light wall

final crib - front view w/ little birdies

final crib -rear view - light wall

2007 slide-away hill

climb up grass hill to enter “look-out”

slide down internal slide to giant cushioned hide-out under hill

exit via trap pivot doors at sides

plot schemes on chalkboard walls under hill

concept sketch

final hill in action

I was so happy to be a part of both of these.  Very fun!  Also while “tweet crib” has already sold this year, there are still some other cottages available for auction next Saturday (seen link above).  Ahhh, wish I had one of my own!  Hee hee.