Texas-based architect Bob Borson — author of the hugely popular blog Life of an Architect — has launched the sixth annual Playhouse Design Competition to benefit Dallas CASA, a nonprofit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children.
Open to architects and students of all experience levels, the competition gives entrants the opportunity to design the playhouse of their childhood dreams. For the second year running, Life of an Architect is teaming up with SketchUp, which has agreed to finance the construction of two of the winning designs and honor the other winners with big prizes.
As always, there is no fee to enter the competition, and participants can register and enter now through April 9. For more on the submission requirements and to enter, click here.
The 2016 competition winners included “Lookout Playhouse” by Zach George and Taylor Proctor.
Final judging will be based on creativity, appeal, originality, buildability and the ability to construct your design for approximately $5,000 in material costs. Borson and SketchUp will bring the winning designs to life as long as they’re cost-efficient and ready to build. An additional category, “Best of SketchUp” will showcase the skill of the best winning design that uses SketchUp software.
Chosen exclusively by SketchUp during the 2016 competition, Riann Kotze’s “Basecamp” doubles as a climbing gym.
Design submissions are due April 9. Finalists will be announced on April 17 and on April 24, and winners will be published on Life of an Architect. The winners will then provide construction documents if possible, or else a representative through Life of an Architect will prepare the drawings on the winner’s behalf.
Last year’s entries ranged from whimsical to practical. “Say Cheese!” by Manuel Millán integrated a potted tree, meant to connect kids with nature.
Once built, the winning playhouses will be on display at the Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses at NorthPark Mall from July 7 through July 23 and be on sale as part of a public raffle. For some playhouse design inspiration, check out these playhouse posts on Life of an Architect.
All images courtesy of Life of an Architect; top left image: Love and Peace by Mashrur Dewan
