Friday, January 11, 2013

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


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

Monday, December 31, 2012

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


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


Thursday, December 20, 2012

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


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.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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



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

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

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


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

Monday, December 10, 2012

A great beachside tree house in Scituate, MA


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

Friday, December 7, 2012

Tiny Hobbit Huts/Forts in Maine- A Postcard Picture


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