Preserving bees: Designers propose bee-centers to protect the dwindling bee population in Asheville, USA.

It is a lesser-known fact that one-third of the world’s food production is dependent on bees. Bees are flying insects that are the most prominent pollinators in the wild. They are generally associated with the ability to produce honey, but this is done only by honey bees, which are just one of the 16,000 known species of bees.

The social species of bees live in hives that produce beeswax, royal jelly, pollen, and so on, for pollinating crops. Beekeeping for honey has been practiced since ancient times. Bee pollination is essential for not just ecology but the economic development of nations, and this has made apiaries or bee yards more popular. 

But the population of bees has been declining in the last few years. The pace of disappearance is consistent with mass extinction and at this rate, many species may vanish within a few decades. This loss will pose a huge problem for humans, as it is estimated that if the bees go extinct, the human species can survive only four more years. 

Can the realization of the impact of the loss of bees on humankind, change our approach to life?

The number of beehives has dropped by more than half of their original quantity. Natural causes such as parasites and invasive species aside, the major cause for their decline is human activities. Global warming, harmful pesticide use, and urbanization have affected the population of bees living in every part of the world. 

Packs of bees, both domesticated and wild, are disappearing at an alarming rate. The issues of climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected. The clustering of humans in dense cities has left no space for greenery to grow and thrive. Due to this loss of habitat, some bee colonies try to reside in human colonies but are seen as disruptions due to their swarming nature. 

The commercial value of bees has pushed people to practice beekeeping, maintaining bee colonies in artificial hives. This production has ensured the survival of some species. But exploitation and improper construction of these hives can cause negative effects on the bee population in apiaries.

How can we preserve and nurture the remaining bee population through collective effort?

Apiaries are well-established businesses but their output must be monitored to ensure the well-being of the resident bee colonies.

Aside from financial gain, the role of apiaries in growing bee numbers in nature must be advocated. 

Brief: Challenge was to design a bee center that will focus on rehabilitating the dwindling population of bees.

In this facility, the bees will inhabit natural habitats recreated by humans, in semi-open enclosures. These habitats will be maintained with artificial technology, if and when needed. The bees will have the freedom to build their own hives and produce at their own pace. The visitors will be able to interact with bees under supervision.

The aim of the center will be to preserve, preach and spread awareness among the local population, regarding the loss of bees in wildlife. Sustainable strategies must be adopted to create a healthy environment for both the bees and the visitors. The center will be symbolic of the shift in preservation techniques where bees are enabled to grow and live naturally, with the least human intervention.

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Some of the Best competition projects are as follows:

 

Winning Project: Nature Flow

By: Dilyana Vlahliiska

^{Fig: 1 Floor Plan}

Description: The current project for the Beekeeping Center aims to design a research and production complex where problems with bee populations are solved. The main task is to promote the importance of bees and at the same time specialists to search for and find the reasons for the disappearance of bees and the possibilities for their timely rescue.

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People’s Choice: Eco-friendly Bee-siness

By: Sofia Bukareva

^{Fig: 2 Functional Zone}

Description:  Concept of the multi-level bee center with the apiary on the rooftop.

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Editor’s Choice: To BEE

By: Mihail Tilev

^{Fig: 3 Section plan and View}

Description: A project that aims to leave an imprint on people about bee problems.

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