This Just In: Custom-Made Cubby, Melbourne, Australia
Architecture for the smallest of clients creates a fun playhouse in an urban family home
Remodelling an inner-city backyard to provide play areas for the two young children of this Victorian family gave architect Nic Owen the chance to build the cutest cubby on the block. At the same time, he and his team were able to update the backyard space to create an area that was an urban oasis for both parents and kids to hang out in. Read his answers to our interview questions below to find out how the design for this space was conceived.
What was the brief for this project?
The brief was to create a small, cost-effective piece of architecture that children can play in. We were also asked to re-landscape the backyard and provide for a herb garden, creating an outdoor haven for both children and their parents.
How did you achieve this?
A simple plywood structure was created with a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass at one end. The playhouse was sited on the south boundary of the property to maximise sunlight. To aid access, we also installed a timber boardwalk between the new garden beds and playhouse.
The brief was to create a small, cost-effective piece of architecture that children can play in. We were also asked to re-landscape the backyard and provide for a herb garden, creating an outdoor haven for both children and their parents.
How did you achieve this?
A simple plywood structure was created with a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass at one end. The playhouse was sited on the south boundary of the property to maximise sunlight. To aid access, we also installed a timber boardwalk between the new garden beds and playhouse.
Tell us about the construction and the materials?
The timber-framed walls are externally exposed to reveal their simple construction and provide visual interest. The added benefit was that the internal frame provides spaces for shelves. We used marine plywood, treated pine, paint, clear laminate glass for the window and stringybark hardwood for the timber decking.
How is the project used?
The timber deck is a great space for the parents to relax in the sun or access the herb garden, and it also provides a link to the playhouse. The green ‘barn doors’ are always a favourite element for the children to play with.
The timber-framed walls are externally exposed to reveal their simple construction and provide visual interest. The added benefit was that the internal frame provides spaces for shelves. We used marine plywood, treated pine, paint, clear laminate glass for the window and stringybark hardwood for the timber decking.
How is the project used?
The timber deck is a great space for the parents to relax in the sun or access the herb garden, and it also provides a link to the playhouse. The green ‘barn doors’ are always a favourite element for the children to play with.
What were the challenges associated with the project?
The backyard was a concrete wasteland, not a kid-friendly space. It was a typical inner-city yard, limited in size. Achieving the right size and scale of the playhouse to suit the backyard and intended usage was critical. It had to be large enough for a parents to enter, but not so big as to overpower the backyard. Now the playhouse shares the space with a trampoline, a small garden and a grassed area.
What do you love about it?
The wall of glass. It’s a great way to keep an eye on children playing inside and a nice outlook for the children inside. The glazing also makes the playhouse feel larger inside than is actually is.
The backyard was a concrete wasteland, not a kid-friendly space. It was a typical inner-city yard, limited in size. Achieving the right size and scale of the playhouse to suit the backyard and intended usage was critical. It had to be large enough for a parents to enter, but not so big as to overpower the backyard. Now the playhouse shares the space with a trampoline, a small garden and a grassed area.
What do you love about it?
The wall of glass. It’s a great way to keep an eye on children playing inside and a nice outlook for the children inside. The glazing also makes the playhouse feel larger inside than is actually is.
Any internal considerations?
Built-in plywood shelves provide a ‘home’ for children’s toys to be displayed and played with.
Built-in plywood shelves provide a ‘home’ for children’s toys to be displayed and played with.
Any surprises, secrets or tips discovered or used in the completion of the project?
The size and placement of children’s structures are as important as their usefulness, but can ensure a spacious feeling in an often-restricted footprint of inner-city backyards.
The size and placement of children’s structures are as important as their usefulness, but can ensure a spacious feeling in an often-restricted footprint of inner-city backyards.
TELL US
Does your child have a cubby house? If so, please tell us about it in the Comments.
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Does your child have a cubby house? If so, please tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
Stickybeak of the Week: Kids Play Among the Vineyards
World of Design: 16 Fun Homes That Encourage Play
This Just In: Sunken Spa Bath, Sanctuary Cove, Australia
Project name: A cubby playhouse for a small backyard
The feature we love: Green swing doors add a functional playfulness
Architect: Nic Owen of Nic Owen Architects
Clients: A young couple with two children
Location: Carlton North, Melbourne, Victoria
Timeframe: Completed in 2013
See more of this project