Sometimes there can be a fine line between inspiration and intimidation.
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For dads who have been promising to build a cubby house in their backyards, a visit to this year's Floriade might be the thing that sets them off to the shed to start work – or maybe just reach for their wallet.
Some of the biggest names in Canberra's construction industry have been invited to apply their skills and creativity to building dream cubby houses, which will be used to raise money for charity.
On Wednesday, developer Hindmarsh showed off its whimsical effort, nicknamed the "Hindmush". And judging by the reaction of the children who tested it, it will be a popular lot when it and four others go up for auction to raise money for the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, and Boundless Canberra.
The sixth cubby will be given away as a prize in a fund-raising raffle.
Hindmarsh developers Brett Smith and Robert Speight said they wanted to design something that was fun for kids but "a bit less conventional".
"It's a great connection between the industry, the public and the community," Mr Smith said.
The My Cubby House Rocks project is sponsored by the Independent Property Group Foundation, which joins the RSPCA as Floriade's charity partner.
The group's chief executive, John Runko, said it was excited to be helping to bring a new element to Floriade.
"We thought, 'Let's think outside the square and do something that hasn't been done in Canberra before; let's do something that will be a bit of fun that will bring a little joy to a lot of people's lives and help raise funds for some worthwhile charities'," he said.
"This year's theme for Floriade is passion, and I think there's a lot of passion from all of our people involved in this process."
Other companies involved are Milin Builders & Developers, Geocon, Narona Homes, Monarch Building Solutions, Englobo, and the Koundouris Group.
The five other cubbies are still under construction and will be delivered in the weeks leading up to the festival, which will run at Commonwealth Park from September 13 to October 12.
Mr Runko said each cubby would have a different design.
"There's certainly some creativity amongst them, with different styles of architecture and design concepts," he said.
He hoped the cubby house project would be a regular feature of future Floriade festivals.
