architecture students design and build wooden bird observatory in poznań, poland

the two-leveled structure was built during the mood for wood 2021 poznań edition, under the guidance of NOMAD architects.

NOMAD edited by lea zeitoun February 9, 2022 4 min

bird observatory kobylepole completed during mood for wood 2021 poznań edition

during last year’s mood for wood 2021 poznań edition, ten architecture students, tutored by latvia-based NOMAD architects, were tasked to design and build a wooden bird observatory on the browarny pond in the polish suburb of kobylepole. the shores around the pond are covered in lake-edge vegetation, with ideal nesting conditions for many species of birds.

that said, the design process began with multiple site visits, talks with future users, and discussion rounds between students to set the criteria for the bird observatory kobylepole. following, the students engaged in joining their ideas and requests into one design. the final model and drawings were presented on the fourth day of the workshop to a local bird watcher and the regional directorate of state forests in poznań to gain approval for the building stage.

with the guidance of NOMAD architects (see more here), the students completed the bird observatory kobylepole in less than two weeks. ‘the main elements of the bird observatory were prefabricated at a wood workshop in the center of poznań and transported afterwards to the site to be joined and fixed on the screw pile foundation. after six days of construction, the birdwatching spot was completed,’ explains the studio.

architecture students design and build wooden bird observatory in poznań, poland - 1 — all images by dawid majewski

a two-leveled structure that keeps users hidden + protected

the design is placed directly at the pond’s shore, using the sloped terrain to create a two-level structure nestled in the riparian vegetation to keep bird watchers well hidden. while the final shape might seem like an aesthetical choice, it actually reflects the observatory’s multiple functions.

the lower level houses two platforms that lead to the waterfront, while the upper tier — shaped like a pier — protects bird watchers from bad weather with its sloping sides that act as a roof. the protruding ‘wings’ also function as a barrier and backrest to sit back and enjoy the view from above. according to the team, the space between both levels is enough to sit or lie down on modular furniture, and even store equipment and backpacks

architecture students design and build a wooden bird observatory in poznan poland 9 — the bird observatory kobylepole was built in less than 2 weeks

fiinally, the students engraved onto the structure the silhouettes of the most common birds found in the area, and a QR code, to fuel the interest of bypassers. the QR code gives them online access to more information about each bird species engraved.

architecture students design and build a wooden bird observatory in poznan poland 5 — all structural elements were prefabricated in a wood workshop in poznań and later joined on site

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architecture students design and build a wooden bird observatory in poznan poland 8 — the barrier and backrest of the upper level shelters the lower platforms

architecture students design and build a wooden bird observatory in poznan poland 1 — balsa wood model of the final design

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project info:

name: bird observatory kobylepole

location: poznań, poland

program: mood for wood 2021 poznań edition

tutor: NOMAD architects (florian betat, marija katrina dambe)

participants: maria pawłowa, wojtek smyczek, michał teodorczyk, tobiasz obrębski, johannes könig, luna gosebruch, miryana petrova, yannick möbius, dārta anda šenberga, liene sondore

photography: dawid majewski

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