When I was a youngster, the only available "playhouses" for us kids were leftover boxes from kitchen appliances or if you were lucky enough to have a handy dad, he might actually build a rough hewn one. Worst case scenario, we draped blankets over the backs of chairs and created a fort. Years later, some of my more spoiled friends had large plastic ones, often pink with ornate gingerbread-like trim in which we had tea with our dolls. There were some that resembled barns with the split front door, but there were nothing like these.
In 2009 David Lamolla Kristiansen, who studied Architecture at the Politechnical University of Catalunya, founded SmartPlayhouse. Inspired to create a place for his first born daughter to create and discover without the direct intervention of her parents, David created a company who designs and manufactures beautiful outdoor [and some indoor] child-sized playhouses that are inspired by modern and contemporary architecture.
The four models [the Illinois, the Forum, the Hobikken and the Kyoto] are authentic pieces of design work created to be safe and stylish environments that provide kids with a comfortable and safe space in which to develop their creativity and social skills.
Special consideration to details like methacrylate impact-resistant windows which do not chip or break like glass and door jams that don't crunch little fingers are designed following strict guidelines that exceed the European Safety Standard requirements.
All of the outdoor playhouses are built on a platform to keep the flooring from getting wet. Crafted with high quality materials [predominantly birch marine wood], that they are resistant to all sorts of weather conditions and the roof has thermal insulation and precast waterproof EPDM rubber material with a water drain pipe incorporated from warehouse, so that no welding or attaching materials is required.
The playhouses can be personalized with accessories like various door handles, different flooring and a wide range of colors to choose from. Curtains, indoor lighting, and soft pavement are also available.
The Illinois:
Inspired by mid 20th century architecture, the Illinois has sliding doors and a platform deck.
The Hobikken
A warm contemporary wood cottage available in three sizes; the mini, the junior and the maxi, as well as an indoor version.
The Hobikken Maxi:
The Hobikken Mini:
The Hobikken indoor:
The Kyoto
Like the Hobikken, the futuristic looking Kyoto is also available in three different sizes and an indoor version:
The Kyoto Junior:
UPDATE- The two story Kyoto Maxi:
with stairs safe for both children and adults to climb and room for friends to sleepover!
The Kyoto is also available in an indoor version:
The Casaforum
Perforated steel panels with leaf designs make this outdoor garden playhouse both durable and stylish.
And the big bonus for parents is that the SmartPlayhouse playhouses are delivered pre-assembled from the warehouse and are very easy to set up.
For pricing, size and delivery options visit SmartPlayhouse.