Pigeon Coop Becomes a Playhouse

Backyard before and after: See how one family turned a pigeon coop into a playhouse
Pigeon Coop Becomes a Playhouse

Christina Schmidhoffer

This pigeon coop, after its conversion to a playhouse.
Written by Story by Mary Jo Bowling November 5, 2009

Architects Geoffrey Holton and Matt Gilroy helped a young family convert a backyard greenhouse and aviary into a kids’ play structure.

“This building had been abandoned long ago, and it was falling to the ground,” says Holton.

This pigeon coop had been abandoned long ago, and it was falling to the ground. But it sits at the end of the lawn and screens a view of the neighbors’ yards. The family wanted a play area for the kids, so it made sense to save it.

But “the structure sits at the end of the lawn. It screens a view of the neighbors’ yards and balances the house. The family wanted a play area for the kids, so it made sense to save it.”

The architects opened up the building by adding a large window, a skylight, and a pair of French doors. Walls and the concrete floor were repaired and cleaned.

Christina Schmidhoffer

There’s room to relax on a daybed with a book, draw on a chalkboard, or play at a kidsize table.

Now the children use it as play headquarters.

“It’s great because they can play in the backyard and run in and out of the building,” says the owner. “

Christina Schmidhoffer

There’s room to relax on a daybed with a book, draw on a chalkboard, or play at a kidsize table.

We think it’s a building that will grow with us. Later on, we might make it a studio, office, or a guest house.”

DESIGN:  Matthew Gilroy and Geoffrey Holton, Geoffrey Holton and Associates, Oakland (510/663-9797)

Next:  More inspiring backyard sheds and cottages 

Keep Reading:

The Latest