Today, the natural habitats of most birds are threatened by deforestation, climate change, and other changes that hurt the environment. Modern buildings have drastically reduced safe spaces for birds. In altered urban landscapes, birds must change their behaviour to adapt to new conditions. Dangers and risks to the survival of birds are evident at every step. to adapt to new conditions. Dangers and risks to the survival of birds are evident at every step. 

In this post, DesignCommunication presents possible answers to how an individual can help birds in their environment. Designer solutions offer options on how to feed the birds in the domestic garden, help them build nests, reduce the risk of potential predators...or enjoy their beauty or song, in our living space.

Protection for small birds

Studio Tools has created several products for outdoor birds. Bird Shelter protects small passerines and similar birds from bad weather. At the same time, it enables them to start nest-building in the early spring. Hanging bath is for feathered pets, provides quick access to fresh water and enables bathing.

Both products are intended for outdoor use and are made of durable materials resistant to weather conditions.

Hanging bath is made of ceramic while the Bird shelter is of porcelain with a woven rush at the bottom. Thanks to the practical, suspension cord, they are easy to install and remove. Equally important is that they are easy to maintain and clean. Birds can use it all year round, in all weather conditions, including winter.

Both items have an elegant appearance. They help bird lovers not only to provide shelter from the cold and rain for birds in the garden but also to save their lives sometimes.

The residential condominiums for birds

Studio Stirling designed birdhouse Condominium living consisting of modular nesting units grouped in a harmonious composition. The dimensions of the boxes correspond to one or more grouped modules. The composition aims to reproduce urban elements such as residential condominiums but on a reduced scale.

The chosen material is plywood primarily because of its durability. Its characteristics should ensure that Condominium living lasts long enough and fits into the landscape. Each element has an opening of the appropriate diameter, for the entry of birds. The branches in front of the entrance are in a shape that imitates nature and facilitates movement. The openings are placed on different sides of the units within the composition and create a special dynamic of the whole.

The dimensions of the elements dictate what types of birds can use them. Condominium living is a modern expression of the Bird House task, serving birds and people.

Coexistation birds and city dwellers

Design Studio Tool went one step further in designing a series of products intended for birds. Their product Window Bird Feeder brings the life of birds closer to humans. It allows people to enjoy feeding the garden birds in front of their windows. Window Bird Feeder is made of glass and is mounted directly on the window glass using double-sided tape applied to the outside of the pane. The feeder can be used all year round as the glass is frost-resistant and easily removed for cleaning. The transparent glass allows us to observe and study different species of birds up close without disturbing them.

The feeder is designed to be easy to handle and fill with seeds making food easily available for garden birds.  Window Bird Feeder in a discreet way encourages the relationship between man and little birds and in that way strengthens the bond between man and nature.

Collective accommodation for birds

In contrast to the miniature birdhouses by Studio Stirling, Japanese design studio Nendo (Oki Sato) has created a giant Bird-apartment. The facility was purpose-designed for the Momofuku Ando Nature Center in Komoro, in Japan's Nagano Prefecture. The Bird apartment is located on a tree and enables collective accommodation for birds and one person.  The entrances to the birds' nests are on one side of the Apartment, while the ladder and circular opening for people's access are designed on the backside. The small holes on the same backside wall allow a discreet view of the 78 bird boxes in the interior of the tree house. The Bird-apartment forms an integral part of the environment, and its front side with the birds’ entrances attracts attention as a functional-aesthetic detail.

The tree house is built for the reception and observation of the birds. It makes birds’ lives easier and gives people pleasure in observing them.

Bird-apartment provide conditions that encourage human activities in nature.

The French architect and interior designer Grgroire de Laforrest designed the Cage Archibird, a multifunctional item for interior use. Archibird serves as a table and as a cage for smaller birds. The bird space is located above and below the tabletop, bordered by glass. Elegant, transparent glass bird bells above the tabletop leave a special aesthetic impression. The birds in the cage move freely in an environment with steel tree branches that simulate the natural environment. Regardless of the birds' activities, the table's surface can be used anytime and is available to users.

The table and the birdcage are integrated into an aesthetically functional unit. An original idea, far from conventional solutions, combines different functions while saving space. Users can decide whether to use the product only as a table or a cage.

Archibird has another additional quality. It allows people the pleasure to watch birds through the glass surfaces of the cage. A product with this design encourages people to separate themselves from everyday activities and get closer to nature within their living space.

The goal of this post is to encourage interaction between people and birds, that is, in a broader sense, between people and nature, through presented design solutions. We believe that design has the ability to inspire people to make the right decisions and initiate activities that positively affect our environment.

Only if every individual, has an awareness of problems related to the environment, and takes small steps in his daily life, we can move towards a sustainable future.