Castle Crayon is an activity house for kids I designed to enter 2016 Life of an Architect Playhouse Competition.
Inspiration/ Idea:
When thinking about a theme for the house, the first thing that sprang into my head was the recollection of when I was a kid myself. I loved to draw medieval castles and to pretend that I was a knight.
Then I thought -because children have a remarkable skill to transfer themselves into imaginary worlds simply by drawing things, making a house where the drawing is encouraged would let them create their own adventures. Drawing is an adventure!
Wonders of Castle Crayon:
Construction:
Castle Crayon is made of a simple timber frame and recycled pallets which makes the structure very simple (module based), affordable and environmentally friendly.
There are two openings -draw bridge (entrance) and view gallery which is a middle section of the opposite wall entrance, making a drawing desk when open with a wide view to the outside.
Spinning:
The main body of the structure would rest on a rotating base made of an industrial cable spool.
That would allow changing quickly castle’s orientation to open to new views and drawing opportunities without the need of shifting the whole structure.
Washable Walls:
Sections of external walls would be painted/ stained with washable white paint (e.g. chalk paint “Valspar”) to allow for kids to freely draw and scribble on them.
Transportation:
For transportation Castle Crayon’s drawbridge and view slot would be shut and secured, making the whole structure a solid cube.
Oh my that’s huge! You have the pallets though…..
Here’s a project for you Leanne Higdon!