BIRDWATCHERS' NEST

The main idea of the project is to create a space for the visitor that will maintain balance

between contact with nature, comfort, sense of privacy and safety - hence the name:

“Birdwatchers’ Nest”. As people in the reserve are visitors, while looking for suitable project

solutions, we gave priority to the neutrality of the solutions for the environment and the good

of the avian inhabitants.

Our motto during the designing process was: people, birds, climate.

Taking into consideration the basic assumptions of the project, already in the initial phases of

the form development, we considered it important to provide a multifunctional, condensed

area with a possibility to change the degree of its privacy. The modularity was supposed to

clearly determine the zones, out of which the most important one was designed for rest,

allowing to observe the birds as well. The interior was supposed to be simple and to draw

attention to what is outside.

With a thought of the birds’ good, we wanted to apply solutions which do not pose a threat of

collision, disturb the flight paths or the colour of the space.

Taking into account the climate and environment, we wanted to use moisture-resistant

materials, easy to transport and quiet to assemble as well as solutions providing proper

ventilation and shading. It has led to the creation of a group of 20 boxes, which respect all the

above aspects.

FORM AND MODULARITY

The main module of the form is a 2.2m cube, outlined by an exposed wooden structure. The

fields have been filled with wooden or polycarbonate elements, depending on the interior’s

needs. We wanted the little boards to be easy to assemble/disassemble and transport and the

process not to make noise. A simple geometrical division and the presence of floors allow to

easily determine the zones.

On the highest floor, there is a slant, which adapts the form to frequent rainfall during the

rainy season. Because the warm air goes up, there is a pair of diagonal sliding windows,

which allow efficient airflow. The parallel slant, applied for aesthetic reasons, has been

repeated on the first floor. In order to use the whole space available, it functions as a kitchen

and a storeroom.

In spite of the height of 2.2m, resulting from the module, the floors in the form of piled-up

mezzanines and openwork solutions double the height of the ceiling.

In order to maintain lightness and the impression of living among the branches of trees, the

massing has been mounted on a construction made of beams and posts. Its form follows the

rhythm of the upper part of the construction. The change of the height of this floor allows to

maintain the same levels of the first floor for each of the lines of the boxes, which are placed

perpendicularly to the direction of the slope. It allows to reveal the relation between the

elevations. The distance from the ground positively affects the wood ventilation and does not

block the vegetation growth. In addition, the posts hide the essential installations. 

ARRANGEMENT

Thinking about the shape and elevation of the form, we took into account the effect which we

would achieve by multiplying it. A simple massing, depending on the way it is placed, offers

different views. The modularity of the form allows its modular placement.

The basic module is a 5m square, which limits the area of the projection of the box. The ways

of placement respond to the inhabitants’ needs, depending on their relationship, for example

families or groups of tourists. On the graticule, there are pairs of boxes placed in different

ways. The single boxes follow their rhythm.

The terraces are positioned in such a way that they overlook different sides. The distances

between the terraces are always bigger than between the walls. The paths organise the space

and communication, themselves creating a network with three main axes, out of which the

most important one leads to the main road.

MATERIALS

The materials are adapted to the requirements of the climate and form.

We chose cedar wood to be our dominant building material. It is light, easy to process and

durable (durability increases with age). It is distinguished by its high moisture-resistance. It

has been used even for ship construction, therefore we are not afraid of using it in wet

conditions. It has a red-brown colour, which grows darker with age. A delicate scent of

cedrus is pleasant for people, being at the same time a good insect repellent. Due to the

export restrictions imposed by IUCN, cedar wood is gladly used locally. Such a choice

reduces costs and pollution connected with transport, which is difficult in this location. 

Instead of glass, we use cellular polycarbonate. It is cheaper, light and resistant to damage

during transport. In case of destruction, it is easy to replace and the worn out component can

be melted down and used again. The semi-transparent material lets light in, provides privacy

and, most importantly, its structure is visible for birds, preventing collisions. Neither does the

material heat up, nor isolate us entirely from the sounds of nature.

The material net appears in the rest zone on the balustrades. This solution improves

ventilation, light transmission, and also opens up the space without creating optical barriers.

INTERIOR

The main concept of the interior was not to furnish the box, but to create a system of

elements functionally connected with each other, each having its own place, which is fixed

and justified by the shape of the massing. The box as a whole is a piece of furniture to be

assembled using simple components rather than a building to construct.

The interior is simple and subtle. The minimalistic functional spaces have been hidden

behind the door (bathroom) or blinds (kitchen, storeroom), which were faced together with

the wall. Such a solution draws attention to the stairs, which lead spirally through the floors

to the largest attraction, which is the resting net.

FUNCTIONAL SOLUTIONS

We wanted the particular elements of the elevation to be movable and changeable according

to the user’s preferences. Initially, we thought about sliding panels, but eventually we chose a

system of rotating wooden blinds. This solution increases significantly the ease of use and is

more durable than the assembly of large, heavy elements. It serves three purposes at once:

provides shading, opens up the view and improves airflow. The blinds appear in the kitchen

and in the sleeping area, ensuring bed ventilation.

The rooms which demand the use of artificial lighting most frequently, have been placed

downstairs and all sources of that light are directed downwards. It aims at minimising the

disorientation of birds.

Cabin walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqAotATbKd0&ab_channel=Birdwatchers%27nest