Image above, Grimshaw’s ‘MySpace’ cubby.

Builders and architects have shared designs as part of the Kids Under Cover Cubby House Challenge, in a bid to fight youth homelessness.

Five innovative designs have been shortlisted, each of which is now under construction and will be ‘open for inspection’ and auctioned off at the 2017 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in March, with all proceeds going to charity.

The glowb cubby by Playce.

To ensure as much money as possible can be raised, each of the five cubby house designs has been assigned a real estate agent who will create a marketing campaign as though the cubby houses are real properties.

The five shortlisted cubbies’ and their agents include:
• FMSA Architecture’s Kooky Cubby iSell Group
• Grimshaw’s MySpace cubby with Jellis Craig
• Playce’s Glowb cubby with RT Edgar
• Porter Davis’ Rapunzel Tower with Woodards
• Probuild’s Chameleon cubby with Nelson Alexander

The competition not only raises awareness and much-needed funds for youth homelessness and prevention but gives architects a chance to channel their inner child and put forward strange and expressive miniature structures.

FMSA Architecture Kooky cubby.

Jo Swift, CEO of Kids Under Cover, said that 2017 is looking to be the biggest and best Cubby House Challenge that Kids Under Cover has seen since the Challenge’s beginnings in 2009.

“We’re so impressed by the creativity and ingenuity in both design and construction that has gone into the 2017 cubbies,” said Swift. “We can’t wait to see the final product, and the public’s reaction to them this year. In addition to our hugely imaginative building and design teams, we’re excited to see how our real estate agents tackle the marketing and auction of the cubbies.

A fairytale dream – Rapunzel tower by Porter Davis.

“Our auctioneers are stepping up to the challenge of raising funds that will be directly invested into our youth homelessness prevention initiatives, including our scholarship program and building relocatable studios to accommodate at-risk young people.”

The chameleon cubby by Probuild.

For those in Melbourne in March, make a trip to the International Flower Show to see the one-of-a-kind creations in the flesh.

Further details at the Kids Under Cover website.