20 Innovative Dollhouses for a Good Cause
Prominent architects scale down for charity, creating dollhouses to be auctioned off to help kids with disabilities
Architect James Ramsey and artist Lara Apponyi’s dollhouse might not attract too much visual attention; it is void of color and has only one floor. But that’s because it’s not meant for someone who can see. It’s meant for a child who is blind.
The laser-cut MDF walls feature the entire story of Hansel and Gretel — in braille. Changes in the structure denote changing moments in the story, and there’s also melted candy on the floor, a braid of hair and a spiral made of bones. “We wanted to put a child in a position where they’re reading this textural story and land in the world of Grimm’s fairy tale,” Apponyi says.
Her and Ramsey’s dollhouse is the only American submission to a U.K. charity auction titled "A Dolls' House," curated by the property developer Cathedral Group. The collection features 20 dollhouses created by well-known architects collaborating with an artist. Their design must fit on a 30- by 30-inch plinth. Oh, and there's one catch: Each has to include one unique feature that makes life easier for a child with a disability.
On November 11, 2013, the dollhouses will be auctioned off. Money raised will benefit Kids, a London charity that supports kids with disabilities and their families.
Famous architect Zaha Hadid submitted an abstract wooden puzzle house, which, as of this writing, was up to 10,500 British pounds (about U.S.$17,000) on the auction website. There are whimsical ones, a few puzzles, one that folds up to take on the go and another that unfolds into a blow-up play tent.
Here are the submissions. Which one is your favorite?
On November 11, 2013, the dollhouses will be auctioned off. Money raised will benefit Kids, a London charity that supports kids with disabilities and their families.
Famous architect Zaha Hadid submitted an abstract wooden puzzle house, which, as of this writing, was up to 10,500 British pounds (about U.S.$17,000) on the auction website. There are whimsical ones, a few puzzles, one that folds up to take on the go and another that unfolds into a blow-up play tent.
Here are the submissions. Which one is your favorite?
Compass House
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM)
This is another dollhouse designed for kids who are visually impaired. Different textures enhance the tactile experience.
The space is meant to be a weekend retreat, the firm says: "a place of escape that acts as a backdrop for ever-changing scenarios."
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM)
This is another dollhouse designed for kids who are visually impaired. Different textures enhance the tactile experience.
The space is meant to be a weekend retreat, the firm says: "a place of escape that acts as a backdrop for ever-changing scenarios."
Elvis's Tree House
Amodels
This tree house for dolls has it all: cars, a plane, a slide, Elvis! It's based on a real playground in Southampton. The purpose was to create something "as physically challenging as possible," the firm says, "because kids learn for themselves faster that way." But why Elvis? "That's a long story."
Amodels
This tree house for dolls has it all: cars, a plane, a slide, Elvis! It's based on a real playground in Southampton. The purpose was to create something "as physically challenging as possible," the firm says, "because kids learn for themselves faster that way." But why Elvis? "That's a long story."
Multi-story
Duggan Morris Architects with Unit 22 Modelmakers
This dollhouse fits with early intervention strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The creators consulted with a mother of a high-functioning autistic child for the design, which features stackable rooms that can be dismantled into single spaces for focused play.
Duggan Morris Architects with Unit 22 Modelmakers
This dollhouse fits with early intervention strategies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The creators consulted with a mother of a high-functioning autistic child for the design, which features stackable rooms that can be dismantled into single spaces for focused play.
Tower of Fable
FAT Architecture with artist Grayson Perry
This is a miniature remake of Balfron Tower, a housing block in London designed by architect Erno Goldfinger. High design supports fantasy play here.
FAT Architecture with artist Grayson Perry
This is a miniature remake of Balfron Tower, a housing block in London designed by architect Erno Goldfinger. High design supports fantasy play here.
Puzzle House
Studio Egret West with Andrew Logan
Seven separate hollow spaces each contain a jewelry-like object designed by artist Andrew Logan: a stair of mirrors, a ladder, a diving board, thimbles, a chain and a propeller. When not in use, the house completely folds up into a colorful rectangular box.
Studio Egret West with Andrew Logan
Seven separate hollow spaces each contain a jewelry-like object designed by artist Andrew Logan: a stair of mirrors, a ladder, a diving board, thimbles, a chain and a propeller. When not in use, the house completely folds up into a colorful rectangular box.
Untitled
Morag Myerscough and Luke Morgan with artists Ishbel Myerscough and Chantal Joffe and poet Lemn Sissay
Built from birch plywood, 3-D-printed coral, plastic, cork, cardboard, plaster and steel, this towering dollhouse is accompanied by a poem:
there's a place out there to the west of town
where nobody pushes no one around
a place where birds and fishes play
on a giant coral far away
where the sun is warm and the breeze is cool
and the sea is bluer than a swimming pool
you can play music and dance all day
on a giant coral far away
a house on a coral in the deep blue sea
a house on a coral in the deep blue sea
just imagine you could be
in the house on a coral in the deep blue sea
Info: The auction ends November 11, 2013. For details and to place a bid, visit the auction site for "A Dolls' House."
Morag Myerscough and Luke Morgan with artists Ishbel Myerscough and Chantal Joffe and poet Lemn Sissay
Built from birch plywood, 3-D-printed coral, plastic, cork, cardboard, plaster and steel, this towering dollhouse is accompanied by a poem:
there's a place out there to the west of town
where nobody pushes no one around
a place where birds and fishes play
on a giant coral far away
where the sun is warm and the breeze is cool
and the sea is bluer than a swimming pool
you can play music and dance all day
on a giant coral far away
a house on a coral in the deep blue sea
a house on a coral in the deep blue sea
just imagine you could be
in the house on a coral in the deep blue sea
Info: The auction ends November 11, 2013. For details and to place a bid, visit the auction site for "A Dolls' House."