The Kaleidoscope House

Conceived and designed by artist and photographer Laurie Simmons and architect Peter Wheelwright, Kaleidoscope House was a collaborative project incorporating miniature works by contemporary artists and designers.  

“The Kaleidoscope House came out of our shared interests in domesticity and in particular the changing practices of home and family. Our individual work in photography and architecture has focused on these issues, and the promptings of our respective children have often figured in our thinking. Clearly, there is a need for a new dollhouse in the family playroom. Our hope is that The Kaleidoscope House with its sliding transparencies and changing aspects will give a colorful  view into new playful possibilities”. 1    

The Kaleidoscope House has interchangeable Perspex walls, which enable it to be played with from all sides and by multiple people if desired. As the walls are moved, they overlap, creating different colours.  

Influential artists and creatives designed the furnishings and accessories for the house. There are also two Art Collection series featuring scaled reproductions of existing artworks and new commissioned works. The dolls are modelled on Simmons and Wheelwright family members, with Simmons daughter filmmaker Lena Dunham immortalised in miniature. 

The Kaleidoscope House was available for a limited time and has become a desirable collectable.