OUGD603 - Brief 7 - Build a home for Wildlife - Initial Ideas - Sketches

Initial Idea Sketches 

- The idea of a bird table being a table could be played upon within the form of the wildlife habitat. Four long legs could be used for the 'table' with a flat piece of wood ontop making the 'table' top. Having long legs would allow the design to be off the ground away from predators allowing the birds to feed safely. Another circular or square piece of wood could be applied over the top of the 'table' top so that the birds can feed under this and be protected from aerial birds of prey, however this idea potentially may detract from the overall concept of the 'table'.


- The idea of a rock pile could be replicated in a block form with slates layered up within a cube frame. The cracks within the rocks would allow insects to hide within the wildlife habitat and small plants would be able to grow within these areas. Having the design in a cube format would make it like a piece of furniture for the garden with the top potentially used as a table in the garden. The geometric shape of the cube would look contemporary with in garden setting. Alternatively a bird bath could be added to the top of the block which would provide an elevated space for them to get water. The weight of the rocks within this design may make it difficult to move around though.

- A bird box could take influence from the form of a tree trunk / log. It is common for birds to naturally nest in holes within tree trunks so this would be a good link to the nesting behaviour of birds, whilst also allowing the bird box to blend in with the context it would be seen in. The box could be cylindrical in shape to recreate the idea of a tree trunk. This would be created by layering up lasercut circles to form the hollow shape, or wood turning could be used to create a solid structure out of one piece of wood. A rectangular block would perhaps be less reflective of a tree trunk however the application of a wood grain to the outside of the box would reflect the grain found within trees. The rectangular box would also allow more room for the nesting birds within. To make the design contemporary refining the shape of the box to either a cuboid or cylinder would make the design clean and simple. This idea of reflecting a tree trunk in a contemporary way could be done by combining a section of a real log (with bark on it) and a cylindrical section of wood to create a contrast in textures. If making the design completely cylindrical is too difficult these designs could be halved and applied to a back board which would make them easier to mount to a wall or tree.

- Playing on the idea of a bird box it was considered the habitat could take influence from the form of a packing box, with the flaps within the box potentially creating a roof, or alternatively the form could just be a cube with decoration to reflect elements of a box such as tape and labels etc.


- For a bug house it was thought it could be interesting to use modular shapes that would stack on top of one another or in different arrangements to create a garden feature. Taking influence from the Bee Blocks it was thought that they could be made out of concrete or something similar, with each block having different materials inside it. Areas would be hollowed out within the blocks to allow room for different natural materials to be stuffed into the holes such as bamboo sticks, bits of wood and twigs , rocks etc. The shapes of the blocks could potentially take influence from shapes within different types of houses, with the geometric shapes creating a modern feature within the garden.

- Frogs like to live within rock piles as they are humid and wet. As a habitat it was considered that 'rocks' could be created in ceramic with some hollowed out to allow the frogs to shelter inside. Others would be whole 'rocks' and the set of 'rocks' would be layered on top of one another within the garden to create a rock pile. The rocks would be glazed to reflect elements of a frog e.g. mottled green like their skin. This would create a striking and contemporary feature within the garden.

- A bird box could take influence from the idea of an egg which would link the design back to the idea of a bird nesting and laying eggs. Keeping the form in a simple egg shape could create a refined and contemporary outcome. Perhaps making the birdbox out of ceramics would allow different glazes to be applied to reflect different types of eggs.

- In a similar way to the Bee blocks it was considered the wildlife habitat could act as both a home and a habitat. As a piece of wall art within the garden it was considered a series of rectangular habitats could be arranged on a wall in the shape of a curved dash line which would reflect the idea of a bee travelling through the air. Each block would be a mini habitat for bees with areas that would draw the bees to the blocks (e.g. plants) and provide a home for them (e.g. holes within wood or a rocky area).

- A log pile could be played upon in a more contemporary way through the use of varying sized and shaped solid wood 'logs' which could be created using different offcuts of wood joined together. 


- A rock garden could be made within a frame of wood with flat rocks stacked within this to create a panel that could be placed against a wall within the garden. This could vary in size and height to create a  more interesting focal point to the garden.

- Bird boxes could combine both natural and industrial materials reflecting how both nature and towns / cities are integrated. The designs would show the contrast between these two things whilst reflecting how they are intertwined by integrating natural elements in with the industrial. Both concrete and willow could be used within the design, with the concrete reflecting the buildings within towns and cities and the willow reflecting twigs a nesting material for birds. Holes would be made within the domed concrete design with willow then weaved within these holes. Willow is often woven to create roosting pockets for birds and is pliable enough to weave within this context. The contrast between materials would also reflect the idea of natural and manmade materials. Alternatively the form could be a box shape with the willow weaved into the front of the box, which would allow the design to blend in more with its surroundings.