National charity Kids Under Cover raised $70,000 for its youth homelessness prevention strategies at the recent 2018 Cubby House Challenge.

The Cubby House Challenge is held every year at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Five architect-designed and expertly built cubbies are professionally auctioned, with the funds going to the Kids Under Cover charity. 

This year's winner was 'Rocky Road', built by Becon Constructions and designed by Watson Young. Not only was it crowned Australia’s Best Cubby, it also won in the fields of Most Imaginative and Interactive Cubby, and Kid’s Choice. The cubby sold under the hammer for $20,500.

The cubbies were appraised by an expert jury, including:

• architect Peter Maddison,
• interior designer and judge on The Block Shaynna Blaze,
• editor of Domain, Emily Power, and,
• former contestants on The Block, Ben and Andy.

Local school children were asked to inspect the cubbies, and vote in the Kid’s Choice award.

The prize for Best Architectural Cubby went to 'Heads Up' by Buildher Collective in collaboration with Beirin Projects and Bellemo & Cat.

The Best Interior Designed Cubby was The Eyrie, designed and constructed by Porter Davis.

Harry Li, auctioneer with iSell Group, took out the prize for Top Auctioneer, selling Rocky Road for $20,500.

Related content: Australia's best cubbies revealed

The remaining cubbies sold for a combined $49,500, with funds going to Kids Under Cover. 

Jo Swift, CEO of Kids Under Cover, said “The funds raised from the auction of the cubbies will be invested into preventing youth homelessness through our studio and scholarship programs.

“The amount raised means we can provide secure backyard accommodation for up to three families over the studio’s lifetime, and complement this accommodation with the resources to continue young peoples’ education and training."

Maddison said he was impressed with the consistently high standards of design and construction over his seven years of involvement in the Cubby House Challenge.

“Every year the cubbies are so different,” he said. 

"The best thing is seeing the smiles on kids’ faces. It’s great to see so many people supporting Kids Under Cover."
 
“The Cubby House Challenge was the perfect opportunity for our team to work together on a fun and different project, while also supporting Kids Under Cover and their youth homelessness prevention initiatives,” said Travis Mundy, project manager at Becon Constructions, which built the winning cubby. 

Read more about the Cubby House Challenge:

Australia's Best Cubbies revealed

Australia's Best Cubby finalists announced

Harry Li wins Auctioneering Championships