Cubby house capers: Designs of today are out of this world

THE humble cubby house has come of age with designs for the childhood favourite going to a whole new level.

HOME Q&A Cubby house designed by Doherty Design Studio for the Kids Under Cover Cubby House challenge at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show

THE humble cubby house has come of age with designs for the childhood favourite going to a whole new level.

What makes a good cubby house?

A combination of childlike and adult activities and design. Kids love to mimic their parents so creating their own little home where they rule is important but so is allowing them to be kids, with everything at an accessible height. A connection to the sky and surroundings is important and interesting spaces are essential. Creating more than one entry makes it fun and practical.

Cubby’s with more than one entry are more fun and practical.

How do you create an open ended play house without it being dull?

It’s about giving the kids many options so they have the power to make or change their own spaces and leaving some areas up to their imagination. Interest can be gained through colour, shelving, ladders to climb or seating. We included a first floor made of netting in the Vardo Hut which allows children a second area to play, while still interacting with their friends on the ground floor. Also, the two mailboxes and the front door being divided into two doors provide additional fun.

Where do you start to design a cubby house? Can you get your kids involved?

We imagined ourselves as kids playing in the spaces and started by sketching some ideas and creating a space we would love to play in — we’re all just big kids at heart. My own children chose some of the colours for the internal boxes so they felt part of the design process. They were also keen to be involved in the making of the cubby and helped us paint
the external cladding. It’s great to get the kids involved.

Play space within the cubby makes it way more fun.

Should a backyard cubby house relate to the existing house?

Not necessarily but it does help if the cubby integrates with your garden. Bright colours often fade in the sun so more neutral exteriors are preferable. While the Vardo Hut has been designed for kids, it’s appealing enough for adults to enjoy visually.

Did you have a cubby house? What memories do you have?

My fondest memories of a cubby was when our dad bought a second-hand caravan and painted it. My parents owned cabins in the bush so there were always extra kids to play with. We ran a very successful restaurant in that cubby — the mud pies were delicious.

Kids love to mimic their parents.

Cubby’s should integrate with the garden.

Why did you go with a gypsy caravan for this project?

My family moved a lot during my childhood so creating a little cubby every time we moved helped create a sense of permanence for my brother, my sister and I. The sense of travel and whimsy associated with gypsies really appealed for the design of the cubby and incorporating curved line into the design creates a point of difference.

What elements do you think make it a successful design?

We have tried to strike a balance between a child-friendly cubby and a sophisticated small building for a garden. The multiple entry and exit points and the second level are two of the highlights of our design as they are not usually included in standard cubbies.

Pictures Andy Johnson

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