Architecture studio De Matos Ryan has completed a modern pyramidal timber playhouse in the garden of a home in London and the structure is a striking addition that adds a whimsical character to the site. The practice aimed to create a playscape where the children of its client can enjoy and channel their imagination. The structure measures 4.1 meters high and is named Penfold after a character in Danger Mouse. Penfold also has a secret entry—it can be accessed via a “low crawlspace at its base,” designating it as a kid-only zone.
De Matos Ryan composes the dreamy, timber playhouse out of Douglas fir frames. The timber playhouse also fills a void for the young family who “lamented the loss of an ailing tree in their neighbor’s garden,” as De Matos Ryan explained.
Image Credit: Hufton+Crow
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Timber Playhouses
- The trend of utilizing timber to create whimsical playhouses is on the rise, creating opportunities within the home improvement and construction industries to explore sustainable material options for recreational structures.
- Kid-only Zones
- Designating spaces within residential properties that are exclusively for children can become a new trend within the home renovation and construction industries, as families seek to provide their children with creative and interactive spaces.
- Whimsical Architecture
- The use of unconventional architectural designs, such as pyramidal timber playhouses, can become a new trend in the architecture and real estate industries as consumers seek unique and creative living spaces.
Sectors Adopting This
- Architecture
- Architecture firms have an opportunity to explore new avenues for whimsical designs, like pyramidal timber playhouses, that can add creative and unique elements to traditional residential structures.
- Construction
- Construction companies can consider utilizing sustainable materials like timber to meet growing demand for whimsical and sustainable recreational structures like Penfold.
- Home Improvement
- The home improvement industry can explore a market for creating kid-only zones, like the one found in de Matos Ryan's Penfold design, in residential properties where families can nurture their children's imagination.
