Local architectural firms designed fairy-tale playhouses for the Dallas Arboretum’s Storybook Playhouse competition exhibit to promote childhood literacy. The winning structures were put on display at the Dallas Arboretum. The opening coincided with the annual Dallas Blooms season.

UDG’s winning playhouse was based on the Teremok, a Russian folktale about a little house and the growing number of animals who take shelter under its roof. The house is already full when a bear decides to join them. Will they all fit?

This charming playhouse represents the teremok (hut in Russian) with animal cut-outs in the walls to signify some of the animals who occupied the house. Visitors are encouraged to explore this interactive space to learn the timeless lessons of friendship.