Enchanted Frameworks
A celebration of craftsmanship and the enduring power of imaginative play, Hanbury’s 2025 CASA Playhouse invites children to create their own stories and experience the simple joy of discovery.
This year, Hanbury returned to CASA’s Playhouse Program with a playful exploration of form, narrative, and craft. Inspired by the theme "Enchanted Childhoods," the design reimagines the silhouette of a woodland tree trunk, creating a whimsical setting that sparks dialogue between place and imagination.
Rather than referencing a single fairytale, the playhouse draws from the familiar motifs of classic children’s literature: Thumbelina’s retreat, Red Riding Hood’s path, or Winnie the Pooh’s forest. Its deliberate ambiguity, described by the team as an "open creative framework," encourages diverse interpretations and experiences.
Material choices were guided by performance, sustainability, and regional context. Black locust, a dense and naturally rot-resistant hardwood sourced from Robi Decking, was selected for its durability and longevity.
Locally sourced poplar bark shingles from Bark House add texture and material honesty, wrapping the structure in a tactile, expressive skin. Custom 3D-printed mushroom-shaped lights, fabricated from UV- and weather-resistant ASA, extend usability after dark and add a quiet layer of enchantment.
Distinctive construction techniques, including the structural use of black locust palisades, anchor the playhouse both visually and physically. Hanbury partnered with contractor WM Jordan from the outset, maintaining open dialogue that bridged conceptual intent with execution. This integrated process ensured that every detail, from joinery to assembly, was carefully resolved. Elements such as a crawl-through mouse hole, open shelving, and a functional pulley system encourage open-ended interaction and spatial discovery.
The project was created in support of Henrico CASA’s annual Home for Good event, which raises awareness and advocacy for children impacted by abuse and neglect. The playhouse reflects CASA’s mission by offering a space that is safe, imaginative, and deeply human in its intent - a small but meaningful place where stories begin.
Learn more at henricocasa.org.
