Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences to explore topics important to the building community.
This BM highlights the value of boutique projects—no matter their scale.
A few years ago, I received the joyful news that I was going to be a grandpa—an identity that quickly evolved into being called “Gramps” by my oldest granddaughter. Soon after, I started thinking about what would make our home a fun and memorable place for future grandkids. That’s how the smallest boutique design-and-construction project of my career began.
At the back of our property sat a small storage shed that had housed tools and materials for over 30 years. It became the foundation for what would become the GrampsLand Playhouse. In the summer of 2023, I sketched out a few concepts and started building.
The shed was mostly dismantled—its sheathing removed and about half the original stud frame replaced. The footprint stayed the same, roughly 5′ x 5′, but I raised the walls and roof so most adults could stand comfortably inside.
The original plan was modest: build the playhouse in evenings and on weekends, within one month, and keep the budget under $750. Like many boutique projects, reality had other plans—it took nearly three months and ended up costing closer to $2,500.
Over the past year and a half, my one grandchild has become three, and the playhouse has been a hit with all of them. What began as a single structure has now grown into GrampsLand (pronounced just like Graceland), a portion of our backyard dedicated to a growing number of grandkid adventures. So far, the following areas have been developed.
- The House – The original playhouse, completed in fall 2023.
- The Campground – Our backpacking tent set up behind the playhouse.
- The Woods – A grove of five trees surrounding the playhouse.
- The Water Park – Currently a kiddie pool and sprinkler setup, with room to grow.
- The Innovation Center – My renovated garage, serving as a fair-weather home office since 2015.
- The Farm – A raised garden bed currently growing tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and pumpkins.
This project is certainly not large, complex or societally significant. But putting it together has brought a lot of joy to this Gramps, and going forward it will be filled with grandkids having fun and sharing their youthful excitement, energy and joy. All in all, it is one of my most successful projects to date.
Photo 1-Concept Sketch
Photo 2-Front Elevation-Details
Photo 3-Stain Glass Rondels
Photo 4- South Elevation in Process
Photo 5- West Elevation in Process
Photo 6-East Elevation in Process