# Flatpack Forts The 'Villa Julia' Cardboard Playhouse Lets Kids Play Designer By jodie anderson | Published 2009-03-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kids-cardboard-playhouse-villa-julia-from-milan-design-week References: [trendhunter](http://www.trendhunter.com/jjjodiez) & [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/5556/villa-julia-javier-mariscal-for-magis-at-milan-design-week-09.html) The 'Vila Julia' is a cardboard playhouse from Javier Marsical for Magis and was featured at Milan Design Week 2009. It seems like, these days, everything is being made from cardboard. The cardboard playhouse comes with a plan detailing the easy instructions for assembly and children set it up themselves (assisted by an adult) and make it their own by coloring the drawings found on the sides. Erecting the playhouse is based on a game that is completed in five phases: assembly, personalization, decoration, occupation and disassembly. I love the fact the game emphasizes putting the playhouse away - usually this is left for the parents to do! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Cardboard Playhouses:** Opportunity for creating customizable and interactive cardboard playhouses for children. - **Interactive Assembly Games:** Disruptive innovation opportunity to develop interactive assembly games for kids to enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills. - **Child-led Design:** Opportunity to empower children in the design process by allowing them to personalize and decorate their playhouses. ### Where This Applies - **Toy Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating eco-friendly and customizable playhouses using sustainable materials like cardboard. - **Educational Games:** Opportunity to develop interactive assembly games that combine play and learning for children. - **Art and Craft Supplies:** Opportunity to create special art and craft supplies tailored for kids to personalize and decorate their cardboard playhouses. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Upcycled Waste Material Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-furniture-design.md) - [Buildable Paper Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/castle-playset.md) - [Block Puzzle Modular Dollhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollhouse-concept.md) - [Affordable Minimalist Cat Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petsy-cat-house.md) - [Cardboard Box Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karton-furniture-collection.md) - [Reconfigurable Modular Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gioco.md) - [Cardboard-Inspired Ceramic Household Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-collection.md) - [Play-Friendly Furniture Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-nook-modular-furniture-system.md) - [Flatpack Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vinterfint-advent-calendar.md)