A new temporary design installation at The Lakes shopping center in Thousand Oaks will benefit the Los Angeles-Ventura County chapter of HomeAid. Four playhouses, actually three playhouses and a doghouse, are on display, and up for auction, for six weeks beginning Sept. 13. These are not plastic kits that you might buy at a toy store. They are fantasy mini-palaces that would not be out of place on a Nickelodeon show or in a backyard in Hidden Hills. Some people live in apartments the size of these roughly 800-square-foot structures. Each has a unique theme but all were designed as part of Project Playhouse, an annual fundraiser sponsored by the non-profit arm of the Building Industry Association. “We build homes for the temporarily homeless,” said Rebecca Swisher who handles public relations for LA-Ventura chapter of HomeAid. “All proceeds from this event will go toward our housing development program to further our mission.” Supporting the 8th annual event is a collaboration of local architects, interior designers, builders and supporters. The designer and builder of the Groovy LEED Playhouse is VPR Design Architects of Westlake Village. Principal Michael Erlanger said that his firm decided on a “green theme” as a way to send an extra message beyond raising money for HomeAid. “I think it’s one thing to design a playhouse that’s just a playhouse and that some wealthy family will buy and put it into its backyard and the money will go to charity,” said Erlanger, “but also on top of that there should be some message so it’s giving something back even in another way.” It’s the first LEED-certified structure designed and built for Project Playhouse. The materials are all environmentally friendly, the roof sports solar panels to power the lights and the exterior has a climbing wall, slide and swing to promote healthy lifestyle choices. That idea resonated with people, Erlanger said. “We had a lot of people jump on board with the funding of this house and the volunteer work because it had such a strong green message to it.” The other three playhouses are American Girl Kit’s Home on Abbott Place, by Pardee Homes; the Library of Congress by Shea Homes; and the Eco-Friendly Destiny Doghouse by LL Development Partners. It’s the first doghouse to be included. “We had a lot of doghouses that the builders did with the playhouses in the past,” said HomeAid’s Swisher, “and a lot of people wanted to buy the doghouse separately from the playhouse.” Tours ($2) will be offered between noon and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. An opportunity drawing ($5 per ticket) for the American Girl Home will take place at the conclusion of the six-week event. The auction is at homeaidlaven.cmarket .com and will be active during the same time period as the installation, from Sept. 13 through Oct. 19. Some houses in the past have brought in as much as $30,000, Swisher said, emphasizing that with the weak economy, bidders may be able to get a real steal this year. She also reminds us that the need for transitional housing is also greater than ever. More information about tours and detailed descriptions of the playhouses can be found at homeaidlaven.org/projectplayhouse. Calling all Valley Musicians The Wellness Community of the Valley/Ventura is asking entertainers to participate in their 17th annual Holiday Homes Tour. Musicians and vocalists are asked to donate one- or two-hour sets in the homes and boutique areas on the tour the weekend of Dec. 6. Carolers, chambers groups, quartets and a cappella groups are invited, as are small instrumental groups and individual instrumentalists such as guitarists, strings, flutists, harpists, pianists, etc Performance venues will be in the North Ranch, Westlake and Agoura area. The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, is a non-profit organization that provides support services for cancer patients and their families. Call Thelma Starr at (818) 591-0619 to participate. This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies.
