Fort A Day

A "Retro" 1970s Playhouse....Pretty WILD!!!

2013-10-22T07:07:00.004-07:00

Here's one way to get back at the neighbors! Build this one right on the property line! No, I actually love how wild and 1970s looking it is (which is probably when it was built). Frank Dimster was the architect. I also spotted this over at www.aplaceimagined.blogspot.com

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Clubhouse within a bedroom

2013-09-05T11:59:00.002-07:00

I like everything about this one....the divisional rug placement, the door, the natural exposed beams, the built-in storage with the finger holes, and the whimsical misallignment of the clubhouse planks. File Under: DREAM BEDROOM FOR KIDS

I also saw this over on www.eurostylelighting.com

Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

L.A. Tree House Builders....

2013-08-11T11:58:00.002-07:00

Here's a great exterior shot of a tree house built and designed by the folks over at www.kirsch-korff.com from Los Angeles, California. Check out the link for more on this architectural/design firm.

A Reading/Writing Greenhouse escape- with recycled windows

2013-04-03T18:09:00.002-07:00

A super-cool, recycled window greenhouse cabin- what a great reading and writing spot this would be! Single pane windows are thrown away all the time, I actually have a pile of about twenty of them in my backyard to prove it, and THIS is one of the reasons (ideas like this) that I grab 'em when I see them curbside. Of course, their insulative properties aren't great, but still, they can be used in many ways in cabin, tiny house, and backyard playhouse/clubhouse builds.

I LOVE the yellow door and trim work here, it really brings this micro-structure to life and makes it fun.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Forklift Pallet Fort, Shed, or Garden Trellis! So Simple!

2013-03-14T10:24:00.001-07:00

Source unknown...

Love this one- especially since its built from free pallet wood, its so simple, AND it looks good. Something like this would be great for a garden (if you use untreated pallets), or the frame of a chicken coop. Better yet, use a tiny structure like this as a climbing frame for beans, grapes, or any other vine-like plant.

Obviously its use as a simple, open-air, kids clubhouse or playhouse is great too!

Check out my book for more recycled building and pallet project ideas....

A "temple" Tree House/Fort in Washington State.

2013-03-07T07:14:00.004-08:00

I can't find any more photos on this one, but its just friggin' fabulous. I especially love the large bay of windows in the front- which, I'd assume, either face south, or some great view (at least I'd hope so). This tree house has a lot of character, and is referred to as a "temple tree house", perhaps for religious reflection, and for the builder/owners writing/work. Its a simple design overall, but one that is so effective and pleasing to the eye- I just wish we had more trees like that here on the East Coast.

This little structure, while not legally, would make for a great tiny house, or getaway cabin up in the trees, OR the world's coolest kids fort or playhouse!

I hope I can find more on this one! Especially photos!

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

For more on tree houses and tiny houses- check out my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"

A mobile sauna/cabin/fort on wheels- pulled by a BICYCLE!

2013-02-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

This one's a bicycle camper/trailer, but one functioning as a SAUNA (notice the sillouettes of many people within?). I'm sure its ultra light weight (to be pulled by a bike), and its shaped like a big fat bullet so that its somewhat aerodynamic. Very fun/unique! I'd imagine/guess that the back wall is made/cut from a single sheet of thick plywood- meaning, the whole structure is no wider than 4' If you look towards the front of the trailer, you'll notice a tiny little smoke stack, and the pile of burning wood on the ground outside.

This one, being so light in weight, would also make for a GREAT tree house too....

A Star Wars/The Empire Strikes Back At At Walker TREE HOUSE!

2013-02-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

Absolutely awesome. It looks like it was built around the remains of a once living tree/extended stump, and if you look it over, its really a fairly simple build- a porthole cut-out for the eye, the appearance-only legs, and a ladder into the backside of the structure. I can't find out who built this- can anybody help?

A tiny, funky, 8' by 8' art shack/studio-shed/fort

2013-01-11T06:26:00.000-08:00

Here's one I've been working on....an 8' by 8' guest house/art studio (or kids fort). It still has a ways to go, but I'm getting there.....

I've got more on this one over at relaxshacks.com, my other blog.....

This is also most likely going to be one of about 50 forts, shacks, cabins, and tree houses that'll be part of a NEW book I've been collecting material for- a follow-up, somewhat, of my other book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks".

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A playhouse made from old books!? HUNDREDS OF 'EM!

2012-12-31T17:19:00.003-08:00

This one really needs no explanation. With printed books, sadly, going semi-obsolete, here's one thing you can do with them- make 'em into a kids playhouse or tiny (INDOOR) house! -Just make sure you have strong floor joists, as I can't imagine what this many books would weigh! I'd guess they're held together with drilled holes for rebar, or at least glued- if this were to collapse on a child, it just may ruin his/her, and YOUR, day.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Swedish Playhouse/Greenhouse- Sun Room....

2012-12-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

Here's another photo that was sent in. This one's kind of cool in a sparse and modern way, but it'd be hellishly hot in the summer sun. Also, if you're going to make something like this for clubhouse or kid use, don't use real glass if you can help it- its dangerous, especially when used EVERYWHERE like this structure.

"The Wedgie" A super simple, scrap cedar fort/playhouse!

2012-12-18T14:32:00.002-08:00

This was made with some nice little scraps of cedar I had. There's a small door on the side, a hole/window to crawl through, tiny triangular window, and the back side is open so as to keep it lightweight and to save wood. Shown is a kid of a neighbor that had me build this for 'em. This fort/clubhouse (for indoor AND outdoor use) is basically a big ole triangular shelter, or a "WEDGE" shaped hut- hence the goofy name.....

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My book.... Was Amazon's #1 Kid's Fort/Idea/Carpentry book for 14 weeks!
Its a concept/idea/sketch/photo/weird-shelter collection....

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Mock Shipping Container Kid's Fort Concept (Tree House?)

2012-12-11T08:19:00.001-08:00

A photo of a sculpture I took while in Chicago- it would make for a GREAT n' funky tree house or mini shipping container-looking fort for kids! Just screen it in and add a door....

MORE PHOTOS can be seen on my other blog Relaxshacks.com- CLICK HERE

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My book.... Was Amazon's #1 Kid's Fort/Idea/Carpentry book for 14 weeks!

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A great beachside tree house in Scituate, MA

2012-12-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

So simple- its not even painted, just bare plywood- but what a great little fort/playhouse this one is! Its in Scituate, MA, and I just happened to be driving by it one day when I had my camera. Below, it a better shot showing how great the tree and locale area- one street from a beach, and backed up to some woods/a marsh.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Tiny Hobbit Huts/Forts in Maine- A Postcard Picture

2012-12-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

I toured these over the past summer and have a video walk-through coming out soon on Make Magazine's site/blog- part of my "Tiny Yellow House" show on youtube that I host/produce/direct, and often film too!
Wooden-Wonders, in Unity Maine, builds these lil' shelters, in the J.R.R. Tolkein-fashion, in several sizes and styles, ranging from full-out cottage, to micro-sized chicken coops! They do great work, and you'll be seeing more from them soon on this very blog. www.wooden-wonders.com for more info. I took this shot when visiting them, as well as the one below...

I'd love to see one of these as a tree house/tree fort at some point.... just built a fitting platform and raise one into place.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Paint Can Lid Siding for your clubhouse/fort/tree house

2012-12-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

I posted on this more extensively over on my other blog www.Relaxshacks.com, as I'm pretty addicted, and involved with salvage-material building- especially when it comes to building clubhouses, tree forts, and shed offices on a budget. This is a great/simple idea (my favorite kind!) and uses saved paint can lids as effective, and decorative siding for a kid's play space. The window box is even made from re-used vegetable cans! Very clever AND fun! The brightly colored trim also adds a large whimsical and attractive element to this little shack as well!

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

An A-frame Fishing Shack in Iceland, as a Kid's Fort?

2012-12-05T06:17:00.001-08:00

From Iceland! Its a fishing shack/hut. but if you look at the VERY simple lines and construction of it, it would make for a great budget, low-skill, kid's fort, clubhouse, shed, or even a tree house! Basically its a lopsided A-frame, and while A's aren't so space efficient on the interior because of their sloping roofs, they are simple to build, and GREAT in areas with heavy snow loads. I love the look of them too!

I have a few A-frame concepts in my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"....including a pretty wild UPSIDE-DOWN A-frame.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Pine Bough Tee Pee/Wigwam Fort for kids....

2012-12-04T15:56:00.001-08:00

File under: Kid's Teepee/Wigwam. I don't know who made this, but I've seen it online a few times now. Whatever the case, its a fun little temporary fort/shelter structure for play. My only suggestion, I wouldn't build something like this so close to a campfire....when the thing dries out over time, and floating embers or sparks land on it- WATCH OUT! The Christmas-lights are a nice, simple, affordable, touch too, and something that every little fort or playhouse seems to benefit by- light AND decoration, all in one.

For more on fort, playhouse, tree house, tiny house, and shed conversion designs and concepts, check out my book...

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Lucy Marr's Greenhouse/Hot House/Playhouse Cabin....

2012-12-03T19:36:00.004-08:00

Check this one out! Its a playhouse, but one that can also be used as a greenhouse of "hot house" either now, or when the kids outgrow it, AND, its made from a slew of salvaged and recycled windows! ALTHOUGH- with kid's playhouses, forts, and tree houses, be careful with the use of REAL glass windows, and keep in mind that older ones may have lead paint and asbestos glazing. In many cases, if the putty work and paint is intact, a quick coat of paint or two over all will help and seal in the old paint, but still, be wary of old windows.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A tree fort playhouse in a bedroom/closet

2012-12-02T18:32:00.001-08:00

A tree house/tree fort in a bedroom hallway, or closet? I can't really tell which, but its a great little addition to a kid's bedroom, and one that would not only be easy to build, but affordable enough. The recycled-material flowerbox outside the tree fort window is just icing on the cake. Very fun!

For more on tree house fort and shelter designs, and with the holidays coming, check out my design/concept book on the subject- only $11.53....

The Finca Bellavista Tree House Inn/Resort in Costa Rica!

2012-11-29T06:58:00.001-08:00

Wow....I don't really even need to say anything here! I've stayed in a few amazing treehouses in the past, and this one looks like it would certainly rank right up there!!!!

You'll be seeing alot of tree houses and tree forts coming up, as I'm in search of them, photos, and builders, for an upcoming book I'm working on for a publisher- it'll be a very loose follow-up to my current book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks". If you have any photos, or have built one- email me at kidcedar@gmail.com.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Girl Power! A really cool shack/fort from Tyler Rodgers!

2012-11-26T06:05:00.000-08:00

There's MUCH more on this one over at Relaxshacks.com, but I thought it fitting to share it here too..... and the letter that came with the photo....

Dear Derek "Deek" Diedricksen,

I'm 16, and I am just starting to put the finishing touches on my first tiny house. I'm really happy with it, and just wanted to say thanks for all the inspiration that your blog has provided throughout the whole process. The whole thing is about 90% salvaged materials. All of the wood except the 2x4 framing and plywood roof piece came from a dock that was being torn down in one of my friends' neighborhoods. That was where I got really lucky. So much free lumber! I bought each of the two windows from the Habitat for Humanity store for $5.

I based my design on kind of an enlarged version of your "Hickshaw" cabin, but really wanted to build in the spirit of the "Gypsy Junker", in terms of spending as little money as possible. Really, I can't say enough how much your blog has helped. It helped me realize that building a tiny house is totally doable and relatively inexpensive if you are willing to search for free materials.

Building the house was great, but I also just love hanging out in it. I feel like a bunch of people believe that these kinds of structures will make them claustrophobic, but my house is now one of my favorite places to relax. After reading your post about hammocks, I bought one and hung it up, and now I can sit in it for hours and read or nap. I angled the house so that the windows would frame the view of the tidal creek next to it. I also just finished putting in a skylight, which allows in some additional light and can be opened in the Summer for more ventilation.

Now I'm looking forward to caulking up all of the spaces between the boards, just to make the whole structure a little bit more water-tight. I am probably also going to add more shelves, and might paint the outside, although the unpainted look has really grown on me. Again, your blog was a tremendous help.

Thanks,

Tyler

A very colorful Dallas-built playhouse for girls

2012-11-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

Check out this super-fun Dallas-built playhouse/clubhouse for kids- its boxy and simple, yet appears fancier and complicated upon first glance- there's an art to that! The upper level, or railed-in balcony, is nice too, although I'm not sure if you can get up there (or would want your kids too). Notice the slots near its base for forklift tines- smart.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

An A-Frame Tree House or Shed Office

2012-11-23T20:38:00.000-08:00

Here's something I built in a series of new designs and works towards another tiny house, shelter, playhouse, and fort book, that I've been busy with. It'll be quite some time before the book is out, but in the meantime, I've been very busy sketching, designing, and building- fun! This tiny, simple, and affordable A-frame could make for a cool little office, a backyard retreat, or even a very doable tree house, as its so light in weight. The A-frame is a little over eight feet tall, and its base is six feet wide.
If you like these type ideas, designs, and approaches, check out my current book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks". -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A tiny stone hut/cabin

2012-11-23T19:50:00.001-08:00

Not that I necessarily want to encourage kids to build playhouses, forts, or clubhouses out of stone- the risk of cave-ins and injury is great if you don't know what you're doing- but this little cabin is just so cool looking, and most likely an actual house. Note the tiny chimney and the living roof- such a great little place....

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen