Trove is a birdhouse that provides a home for migratory birds like the while providing an elegant fixture to any tree or backyard. Manufactured from recycled pulp treated with waterproofed coating, it can be easily composted after the birds have finished nesting for the season
One of the biggest threat to migratory birds is the lost of habitat. Suburbanization has led to the decline in bird population and diversity.
With a researched understanding of the needs of the migratory birds, can we design a new birdhouse that is great for birds and attractive to homeowners?
Birdhouses accumulate nesting materials that can harbour bacteria and parasites every year. Maintaining birdhouses isn’t fun and could pose a biohazard to humans.
How might we make cleaning easier?
Needs of Migratory Birds - consideration of minimum volume, entry diameter, mounting location, predators
Human Usability - consideration of human user, ease of installation/maintenance
Mass Producible - material choice, manufacturing methods
Suburban Homeowners
Busy lifestyle (family/work), price conscious, wants some backyard diversity, low commitment (birdhouse)
Park Conservations & Researchers
Economical, quick to deploy and maintain, birdhouses to help protected birds
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With the problem and target identitifed, sketches were developed to explore possible solutions. Birdhouses with automated cleaning? Detachable birdhouse with a disposable casing? Fully disposable birdhouse?!?!
Inspiration for this bird house came from both geometric and organic forms. Effort was made to create a birdhouse that mimic the natural/manmade environment it would be installed at while providing adequate area for nesting. Material exploration into paper pulp molds proved interesting.
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Working along with sketches, mockups and prototypes were made to explore different forms and sizes, methods of secure mounting as well as packaging.
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While exploring forms and methods of manufacturing, I came across a molded fibre pulp as a cheap, fully compostable material of choice.
Research into molded pulp manufacturing techniques, waterproofing, and consulting professionals with experience in the development of EcoLogic's molded bottle lead to the final design of the birdhouse.
The paper pulp material was explored through found samples and creation of paper pulp prototypes with various additives.
Creating a looks like model of the final product, a block of high-density polyurethane foam was CNC machined according to the CAD data developed.
The machined bodies were then cut out, sanded smooth, and spray painted to resemble the textures of molded pulp.
The two halves are adhered together and mounted on to a FDM printed mount.
