A number of leading Australian architects and building teams are tackling the 2014 Kids Under Cover Cubby House Challenge, demonstrating sustainable building design, materials and practices to create fun and unique play zones.

Innovative, ‘creativity-fostering’ cubbies featuring ball pits, LEGO, blackboard walls and even a fireman’s pole will be on display in the Cubby House Village at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) from Wednesday 26 March to Sunday 30 March 2014, with the auction of the cubbies taking place at 3pm on the Sunday.

The building and architecture firms involved are competing to be ‘Best in Show’, but more importantly organisers note, they’re work will make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people of Australia.

2014 Kids Under Cover Cubby House Challenge Teams

‘King of the Castle’ - Carr Architecture and De Carolis

Drawing inspiration from the dreams of young children wanting to be the ‘King’s’ of their own castle, this cubby is a royal’s playground. Features include: a fluted tower top, fireman’s pole and porthole windows with plenty of room to imagine and play.

‘Cloud Climb’ - Studio You Me & Tandem with Fridcorp & Luxe Property

Modern, with clean architectural lines, this cubby features a kitchen with island bench, blackboard walls, internal stair case to first floor loft, operable roof and a suspended hammock floor, all which add to additional space, comfort and unique design.

‘Caravan Me Happy’ - Greg Lawson for Little Green Room

Made up of completely sustainable products, this ‘mini caravan’ cubby is functional in form and encapsulates the warm and fun memories of Australian summer holidays.

‘The Hatch’ - Randal Hampson and Porter Davis Homes

With angled walls, this cubby demonstrates visual stability that gives it a more natural form. Features include: Weathertex cladding, plywood and a rust iron finish to the entrance, play bench, comfy corner seating and a colourful ball pit, a fun place to hideaway.

‘The Grubby’ - Cedar Woods Properties and dKO with Madisson Projects

‘The Grubby’ cubby house is a personal sanctuary, it’s a house in the woods, it’s a tool box, it’s a building space, it’s whatever it needs to be… With a unique design based on children’s building blocks, kids are encouraged to immerse themselves in a world that they will build themselves, with the aid of items such as an interactive pegboard wall, climbing net, dress-ups, chalkboards and similarly creative activities. Child-friendly materials such as ply wood and timber pegs have been utilised in the build of the cubby house, complementing the natural, Nordic theme seen throughout. ‘The Grubby’ will no doubt be a welcome addition into any backyard, but be prepared for many curious little visitors.

‘Switch’ – Sabi Designs with Harris HMC

Switch was designed to allow all kids to ‘switch on’ their imagination using tools within the cubby designed to foster curiosity through interaction. Growing their own garden, watering the plants, designing their own wall art, building LEGO creations and dreaming of filling the shoes of their favourite sporting legends – they are the master creators of their own little world. Using sustainable materials, solar energy and pump based rainwater, this cubby was designed to reflect Sabi Design’s shift toward contemporary ‘eco’ architecture, with a play on colour and perspective.

About the Kids Under Cover Cubby House Challenge

With nearly 45,000 homeless and at-risk young people in our country, the need for ongoing funding is critical. This figure has more than doubled over the last five years.

“This year’s cubbies really capture the fun and creative soul of children,” said Kids Under Cover National CEO, Jo Swift, “they have all been designed with real insight into childhood dreams and play patterns. The standard of design and construction of this year’s cubbies is phenomenal and we hope that the public will get as excited about them as we are, so we can raise valuable funds for youth homelessness.”

“We are honoured and humbled by the calibre of our supporters in 2014 – the incredible architects and builders who have so generously given up their time and resources to create these really special cubbies.”

All participants in the 2014 Cubby House Challenge have donated their services to the cause, and in doing so compete for the Cubby House Challenge Awards including the Dulux Cubby House Challenge Colour Award, hockingstuart Best Presented for Sale award, Best Craftsmanship, People’s Choice (public vote), and overall Best in Show.

Kids Under Cover urges everyone to get involved, either by purchasing a raffle ticket online at

http://cubbyhousechallenge2014.gofundraise.com.au, or by attending the auction at MIFGS to bid on one of the cubbies.

Visit www.kuc.org.au/get-involved/kids-under-cover-events/cubby-house-challenge for more information.

David Wheeldon

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