Explore Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center
Your secret hideout awaits! That’s the tagline for Fortlandia, an exhibit of play forts on display — and available for play — at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center now through February 2019. I visited on a rainy day (naturally, since Austin has transmogrified into Oregon) last week with Susan Morrison from California. We strolled the winding path through the Texas Arboretum, where the forts are spaced out along the trail, and I was surprised to see a few kids playing in them despite the rain.
Each fort was designed by a local architect, designer, artist, or students from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. Pictured above is the stylish yet simple Blanket Fort by Open Envelope Studio, which specializes in modern landscape architecture and custom steel work. Part pup tent, part blanket-stretched-across furniture — didn’t we all make those as kids? — it’s a clean-lined structure embraced by a marvelous horizontal live oak that itself invites climbing and exploration.
Nice signage (attached to rustic cross-sections of stumps) explains the concept and inspiration behind each design.
The Keep, a twiggy trio of forts behind a cedar coyote fence, designed by Avalbo Industries, which makes custom cabinetry and furniture for local businesses.
The Rainbow Room houses an actual piano and is presumably a nod to NYC’s famous Rainbow Room restaurant and nightclub. The designer is Austin artist and musician Zachary Nash.
In Bloom is more for looking at than playing in, but I am intrigued by the design inspiration: a mott of live oak trees. Cylinders of colored wire mesh stand like rainbow-colored ghosts of tree trunks.
It was designed by Sanders Architecture, which also designed the Wildflower Center’s green-roofed admissions kiosk, and boomtown design.
Under a grove of oaks, kids are encouraged to build their own forts, with bamboo poles, hay bales, stumps, and other materials available for use.
Moontower, a design/build firm, and Chris Levack, one of my favorite Austin sculptor/builders, designed Nomadic Forts, a nod to the tepees of Native Americans.
Set in an open meadow, surrounded by a belt of dark green trees, it makes a picturesque view from many sections of the trail. And on a less muddy day, I’m sure it’s fun to play in too.
Go see Fortlandia now through February 2019 at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The forts are included with regular admission, and of course members get in for free.
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What a fun exhibit. Congratulations to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for being so innovative and engaging for all ages.
They have made the most of the Arboretum, hanging tree swings for all ages and abilities. The forts just add to the fun!
Love the concept and creativity of the different structures that each group designed. It is almost a throwback to the days when kids built forts outside out of found materials. My son had to build a survival shelter for Scouts a few years ago and it could have almost worked in this exhibit.
I bet it could have, Karin. I have fond memories of fort building in vacant lots around our home when I was a child. All kids need a chance to do that.
What fun these would be. I would love to have one of those Nomadic Forts in my garden.
Time for a trip to the lumberyard, Lisa. Or a home improvement store – whatever works!
So wonderfully executed, such a great way to attract kids and then hopefully to encourage more outdoor play upon returning home.
What a great project with grandkids in a few years! Thanks for sharing Pam.
It *would* be fun to build a fort with grandkids. Good thinking, Heidi.