Yes MAM

The Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) commissioned Paris Renfroe and Robert Feyereisen to build eco-friendly modern house models as an extension of the museum's Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century. Pictured from left to right in the first image are the Blau Haus by Feyereisen, the M112 Pod House by Renfroe and Alchemy Architect's WeeHouse also crafted by Renfroe. The paper figures in the structures are made by Jordan Grace Owens. The exhibit runs through May 15 and then these lovely 1:12 gems will be for sale...

Images: Paris Renfroe

Plan Toys: The Green Dollhouse

The new 2009 Green Dollhouse by Plan Toys is a cutie. It has a lovely design--and much more interesting than the Eco Dollhouse on the market. I'll definitely be adding this one to my collection. I am particularly fond of the biofacade, the adjustable shade canopy and the recycling bins. Note that the house comes with furniture (kitchen set looks kind of cool. Also, I hope that is a composite wood pattern and not floral on the furniture...hmm) and also features a wind turbine, solar cell panel and rain barrel. Man oh man, do I want to get my hands on this house and decorate! The house should be available in April. Expect to pay about $240 for the furnished house and $190 for the unfurnished house. The furniture will also be sold separately for about $65.

Images: Plan Toys

The Wings Are Ready To Fly

Miss Schumetta is selling a 1:12 version of her Eco Modern Townhouse with wings for $300 + Free shipping. Interested parties can contact her at schumetta@mac.com

Eco Friendly Dollhouse

Have you seen this one? I like the concept but wish that the company had gone the extra mile on the exterior and interior design. I dig on the solar panels and modern windmill on the roof. I’m disappointed with the touches of pink paint here and there. Hopefully the door is actually green and not pink (the photos show two versions). This dollhouse is supposed to help educate children about the importance of "living green” via play themes that include recycling, planting trees, alternative energy, alternative transportation and rain water collecting. It’s roughly $130 and comes with all accessories.

Images: ToysRUs

F3 House by Swatt Architects

The Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) is a non-profit in San Francisco that houses individuals with extremely low-incomes. In May of this year, the organization celebrated its 26th anniversary with grand festivities that included a designer dollhouse silent auction--an auction so silent that I didn't even hear about it (Somewhere my significant other is shouting for joy while clutching the checkbook). Five architecture firms created miniature modern masterpieces that were auctioned off--the proceeds going toward TNDC's positive community efforts. Though I didn't know it at the time, I have already showcased one of these miniature houses designed for the TNDC silent auction: The Modularean Eco House by David Baker + Partners.

The featured designer work above is the F3 House donated by Swatt Architects . The TNDC event program gives the following description of the dollhouse: F3 House plays on favorite motifs of Swatt Architects' work. Floating planes fold around fantastic interior spaces that flow to the outside through fully fenestrated walls. The form knits to the landscape as it steps down the sloping site. Furthermore, open planning facilitates an informal family life or entertaining with finesse, where your fabulous dollhouse friends can relax comfortably in custom modular furniture. Fenomenal!

The professionals at Swatt Architects will recreate this 3/8"=1'-0" dollhouse for anyone who is interested. The cost of the structure is estimated to be around $5,000 if they create it in house. However, they are willing to investigate the option of commissioning a cabinet shop to make it for less.

Images courtesy of Swatt Architects

Modularean Eco House Dollhouse

Ohh!...Ahh! The Modularean Eco House dollhouse is a very cool example of a simple modern dollhouse with clean lines and delicious sliding Plexi panels. This was a custom project designed by David Baker of David Baker + Partners Architects based in San Francisco. It was built by woodworker Julianna Sassaman. Per the firm's site: "Both playful artpiece and artful playpiece, the Modularean Eco House is a sturdy, sustainable custom dollhouse".

For collectors looking to purchase, I have inquired about the cost of such a great piece of work. As soon as I hear back from David, I will post.