It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Here's an overhead view of five elaborate dream-playhouses on exhibit at Newport Fashion Island. Architecture students are getting an up-close tour of the petite playhouses, although the public cannot go through the homes (many of which are equipped with expensive accessories) because they are going to be auctioned at the end of the exhibit's run.

These amazing customized playhouses are each designed and built by separate teams consisting of contractors, home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects and designers, and various companies that supply everything from lumber to glass and plumbing to paint.

Now in its 17th year, Project Playhouse first opened its doors in 1992 in Orange County, California, and is the largest event of its kind in the United States. The playhouses are on display to the public at shopping centers, museums and stadiums in major cities, then sold at live auctions. Proceeds benefit each city's local chapter of HomeAid, a national nonprofit organization that builds dignified housing for homeless families and individuals.

The eight designs for Project Playhouse are on exhibit at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA, until Oct. 11, 2008. Other cities that have held or are currently displaying Project Playhouse exhibits or events include New York; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; the Inland Empire, CA; San Diego; Dallas; Atlanta; Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C.