IGNITING Creativity with “ACTIVE IMAGINATION”
Alliance Architects is proud to participate in the 24th annual Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses. This signature annual event raises awareness and serves as a fundraiser for Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization of volunteers who act as a voice for abused or neglected children in court.
Alliance Architects partnered with Adolfson and Peterson Construction to provide the design for an imaginative play structure that not only would meet the requirements set by Dallas CASA, but that would foster creativity, excite and ignite children’s imaginations, and encourage participation and play. The playhouses, all custom-designed and built, are donated by local builders, architects, and corporations.
“One of the first thoughts the team had at the start of the design process was to not think of it as a house, but as a means of fostering creativity and activity,” said Alliance Architects Zach Weldy. “By taking this approach, we sought to provide a play structure that appeals to every child’s imagination; which also inspired the name. ‘Active Imagination.’” By harnessing their imagination, the play structure can be anything from a space ship headed to Mars or a medieval castle hosting tea parties.
Other design aspects that were important were flexibility and openness, which were accomplished by including moving parts like a climbing ladder and stairs that can be stored under the slide when needed. The openness was realized by keeping the amount of enclosing walls to a minimum, with the one notable exception being the acrylic box. By providing multiple ways for children to access different parts of the structure, the flexibility and openness goals were achieved. The other important aspect of the design was sustainability. It needed to be both low maintenance and durable to sustain time and weather conditions. This was achieved by using exterior grade materials like pressure treated lumber, acrylic, and high-density polyethylene plastic.
Alliance Architects would like to sincerely thank KDC Development for inviting us to participate in this rewarding and worthwhile event sponsored by Dallas CASA. We would also like to thank our partners, Adolfson and Peterson Construction, for teaming up with us to help build the play structure and bring “Active Imagination” to life.
The Parade of Playhouses will take place July 12 – July 28 throughout NorthPark Center [northparkcenter.com/events/northpark-dallas-casa-parade-of-playhouses–3] . During the 17-day event, custom playhouses like “Active Imagination’, are eligible to win by purchasing a $5 raffle ticket. All proceeds from sponsorships and raffle ticket sales benefit the abused children served by Dallas CASA. Tickets are available at the event and online https://www.dallascasa.org/product/house-of-cards/.
ABOUT ALLIANCE ARCHITECTS, INC.
Alliance Architects, Inc. is an award-winning architecture and design firm founded in 1993. Serving a diverse client base across the nation, Alliance Architects, Inc. provides architectural and interior design, master planning, and project management services.
