Peak Architects has teamed up with three local companies to encourage a little constructive thinking across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire as they launch a new competition to challenge primary-aged children to design their very own den.

The new ‘Design-A-Den’ competition has been devised by architectural practice Peak Architects, aluminium glazing systems manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems, commercial interior design and fit-out specialist OVO Spaces and social housing provider Great Places Housing Group. Aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 11 years residing in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, the creative challenge hopes to provide inspiration for those children and their parents who are currently home-schooling.

Kids are encouraged to use their imaginations to design their ideal den and to share their ideas by sending in a photo of what they have built, whether that’s a drawing, model or actual size retreat. The competition is split into different age groups (4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 11 years), and the winning designers from each category will win a top prize of a brand-new iPad. Runners up will also  receive a creative art set. The competition is open until Friday 1^st May and the winning entries will be chosen by the judging panels which comprises representatives from each of the companies involved.

With many schools now closed in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the competition has been designed to appeal to children as well as their parents and teachers, and provides a great opportunity to learn more about design, construction and engineering.  The children are particularly encouraged to think about sustainability and how recycled materials can be reused or upcycled to feature in their very own eco-friendly den design.

Commenting, Peak Architects’ marketing manager, Amanda Wild said: “These are difficult times for all of us, and particularly for children who have found their usual routines and schooling completely turned upside down. We hope that our ‘Design-A-Den’ competition will not only help to entertain primary-age children but will engage with them to encourage some creative thinking and problem-solving. The kids can set their imaginations free with this challenge and as the weather improves, it’s a great opportunity to get them out into the garden to either build a den or find inspiration for what materials they can use in their designs. We can’t wait to see what they come up with!”

Entries for the ‘Design-A-Den’ competition should be submitted as JPEG or PDF documents and emailed to designaden@peakarchitects.co.uk before 12.00 noon on Friday 1^st May. Full competition details can be found here terms and conditions.