‘the birdhouse project’ by christian bermudez

costa rica-born, oslo-based designer christian bermudez has created ‘the birdhouse project’, a hybrid of street art
and functioning nesting place for the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca), a migrant bird that spends most of the year
in west aftrica. however, from april until september, when it is summer in europe and winter in africa, it heads north to norway. 
 
several specifications had to be met to ensure the birdhouse was suitable. material use, dimensions, porosity,
permeability and timeline were all factors which would affect the nesting of the flycatcher. the power lines
are an ideal place for the birdhouses since they hang at the same height at which the bird flies.
each unit measures H12 x W12 x L26 cm (H4.7 x W4.7 x L10 inches) and has a hole which is 3.2 cm (1.3 inches)
in diameter, large enough for the birds to fit while still providing shelter. 
 
the soles of the shoes are detachable, allowing for the houses to be cleaned after the season is over.
a webcam is placed in one of the compartments, allowing for studies of the migrant bird. the project was declared
a success after a pair of flycatchers built a nest in one of the shoes.   

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 2 functional for the birds while it adds to the urban landscape 

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 3 a pied flycatcher departing from the birdhouse

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 4a migratory bird perched on the opening 

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 5removable soles revealing a nest built by a pair of pied flycatchers

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 6detail of the layers of wood 

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 7 the stacked pieces of wood, already cut but not yet glued together

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 8 the pieces are held down with a clamp until the glue is dried 

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 9the sanding process 

christian bermudez: the birdhouse project - 103D computer rendering diagram

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions’ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.