2012 Life of an Architect Playhouse Design – the ‘Dugout’

So here it is

the 2012

Life of an Architect Playhouse Design

[cue fanfare]

The ‘Dugout’

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In case you didn’t get it from the “dugout” name, this years playhouse is themed after a major league baseball dugout. If you’re not a baseball fan, let me just tell you that the major league baseball team here in the Dallas metroplex is the Texas Rangers and they have been to the World Series the last two years and so far this season are looking pretty strong to make it back there for a third year in a row. The popularity of the baseball team is sky-high right now and I thought designing a playhouse with a baseball theme would be a good idea, right? … but one that had some Major League Baseball Texas Rangers logos on it would be even better!! What little boy wouldn’t want a playhouse like this in his backyard?

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This post is about 2 months later than it should have been – not that I didn’t have the design in place but I didn’t have permission to reveal my playhouse just yet. Originally I was going to go with an African Safari Rescue Center because that’s what my daughter wanted …(can’t believe I’m writing this on Father’s Day) … and I didn’t give it to her [commence booing and hissing]. Yes I know, I am a crummy Dad but I have her permission to move forward with this dugout design. Part of the reason it took a little longer was I needed to secure permission from the Texas Rangers organization to use their logo – and they graciously said yes.

[cue fanfare … again]

The Texas Rangers are even going to send me a some memorabilia to help outfit the interior – jersey’s, pennants, baseball caps, etc. – AWESOME!! – When I got the idea to do this, the real awesomeness behind it was getting some level of approval and involvement from the Rangers, I can’t tell you how great they have been to work with and for allowing me to do this.

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I haven’t actually ever been in a real MLB dugout but I’ve seen them on TV about a million times (and I’m pretty good at 3-dimensional visualization). Inside this playhouse there is a bench, a place to put batting helmets, bats … there will even be a place to put a tub of David’s sunflower seeds (that Ranger’s Manager Ron Washington seems to always be eating when I catch a game).

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I even figured out a way to have you step down into the actual dugout (all dugouts are slightly lower than the playing field) while making the construction of the playhouse pretty straight forward. Yes … there is even a phone hanging on the wall so some small child can pretend to call the bullpen to start getting a reliever ready.

I am really excited to get this playhouse built – and I’m pretty sure that it will be popular – at least enough to sell some raffle tickets. As you know, I spend a lot of time on these playhouses – and they all benefit Dallas CASA. I hosted the first Life of an Architect Playhouse Design Competition (the two winners have already submitted to me their construction drawings) and this years dugout themed playhouse is the 6th playhouse I have designed and the 16th playhouse that I have had some role in getting built in the last 4 years. I am humbled to be in a position to use my architecture skills to help these children and this amazing organization.

Okay, so you asked for it (no you didn’t) so I put together a little video this weekend. I am quite sure that most of you won’t like the music I put on here so I am warning you now to hit mute on your speakers. For those of you that are curious, the song is ‘Sail’ by Awolnation’. I thought it might make for an interesting post to take the same video and put all sorts of different style of music on it to see if it had an noticeable impact with how you perceived the actual video. I think it definitely would … could make for a fun post, we’ll have to see about that one.

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(in case you are new to Life of an Architect – here is a little information on Dallas CASA and the volunteers that donate their time to abused and neglected children)

Information on Dallas CASA:

Dallas CASA (which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nonprofit organization of community volunteers trained and supervised to serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. On any day in Dallas County, there are nearly 2,000 children waiting for a safe place to live. Many times the CASA volunteer is the only constant in the child’s life during this very difficult process. Parade of Playhouses raises funds for Dallas CASA to continue serving more children who need safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.

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