italian company beeing wants to encourage the bee population and foster a new generation of beekeepers by creating a compact colony that simplifies the harvesting process. designed to fit into urban spaces, the b-box is a plywood-enclosed colony that aims to encourage people to see beekeeping as something that can be easily done at home.
the b-box is made predominantly of wood that has been cut into panels and layered with polycarbonate to create a warm exterior. together, these materials form the main structure, which encloses the hive, with a removable panel that allows you to view the bees at work.
bees enter via a 2.2 meter long chimney, which has an opening at the top so that the keeper can observe the hive without disturbing exit and entry. with base dimensions measuring 67×47 cm or 27×19 inches, the hive is suitable for small spaces but can also be customized.
‘bees are special: not only do they produce honey, but they are also responsible for pollination. we want to give everybody the chance to know them, observe them and produce honey in a very easy and safe way,’ beeing says.
‘the patented system separates the area in which bees live from the one in which they store honey, so that you can extract it safely, without a veil or gloves, and without any contact with bees either.’
beeing has designed a patent pending honey harvesting system that safely separates the honey from where the bees live. sat atop the main hive, a series of honeycomb chambers enclosed in a perspex box lets users observe the honey making process without the need for protective clothing.
bee entry is granted by a lever that firstly let bees into the honeycomb chambers. when users want to harvest the honey the lever can be pulled, letting bees exit the chambers but not enter. after just a few hours the honeycomb chamber will empty of bees.
beeing wants to simplify the process of beekeeping to encourage a new generation of harvesting as well as help increase the bee population. the company also offers training and customer services where experts are available to help with installation as well as everyday queries and learning.
the b-box is currently ready for production and beeing is accepting pre-orders via an indiegogo campaign, which closes in a few weeks. as of july 4 2019, the company has exceeded its goal of €40,000 by %147, with 181 backers pledging almost €100,000. the first shipments of the bare expected in november.
beekeeping is growing increasingly important as studies report high rates of decline in bee populations. more than 80% of global food supply is made possible by bees and they are fundamental to the ecosystem and human survival on this planet.
in the last decade, periodic collapses have been a source of inspiration for designers and other companies who want to restore the population to its former glory. back in 2014, architecture firm snøhetta designed a series of wooden hives for the roof of an oslo food court in a bid to encourage bee population in the city.
mcdonald’s sweden recently unveiled the ‘mchive‘, a mini beehive designed to look like one it’s restaurants. it is part of a wider initiative towards the wellbeing and preservation of bees that has seen several of the fast food chain’s restaurants install the beehives on their roofs. franchises are also replacing the grass around their restaurants with flowers and plants.
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Honey bees are not endangered, why doe people focus on them? Because they are cute and make honey.
Species who are endangered are wild bees with hundreds of subspecies, but they don’t need beehives – and million of other insects who are not cute and beautiful.
Way to go Ben! Direct yet eloquently spoken on behalf of our cherished golden ambassadors of life! Thank you
Super write up Ben! I agree! I also worry about how this “new” invention will keep bee’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer? That plexi-glass sure won’t fit the bill.
This invention is nothing I would purchase nor support by donating money to what appears to be an ego trip for someone and no support for the bee’s!
DEAR DESIGNER, DEAR DESIGNBOOM.
With high interest I read your ideas and intentions to help the bees. However more and more designer try to make a name for themselves with a “GREEN-LABEL”. WHY? Before you start designing boxes, homes and houses for bee – you should their physiology and special needs. Would you build a skyscraper for disabled people with no elevator.
So about my critique:
1. Using plywood – an eco-nightmare: Production needs high amounts of energy, a lot of glue, not useable for outside. The chemicals need are very BAD for bees!
2. Acrylic-Glas – plastic-oil: In beekeeping we are trying to use as less as possible of plastic. However in the presentation it looks good.
3. chimney – is it Christmas and Santa Claus visiting?!?: This way of entrance and exit is unnatural and causes a lot of stress to the bees: WHY? a, Bees have to walk all the way up and down, because they cannot fly in this small chimney. b, bees like to keep their hive clean – so have to drag and carry all the bees and male drones (even bigger) all the way too. So the floor will be covered with dead bees and their hygiene drops –> Beehive collapse. c, amount of nectar and water they can transport will be less. d, chimney-design is only for urban beekeepers who want to impress people with NO IDEA about bees or are literally afraid of bees.
4. honeycomb-size: WAY TOO small and plastic again. Yeah – it looks great on pictures for breakfast. So what is the main goal? Another stylish instagram-upload or the well being of bees? A smaller honeycomb-size cost more organization workload for bees and less honey. However it is more convenient for young urban people thinking in small boxes. AND it is not scaleable – meaning – if the bees need more space WHERE CAN I GIVE THE BEES MORE ROOM?!?!?!
5. Looking from the side – is great for educational – like for kids – but NOR FOR BEEKEEPERS! You you should check your hive at least once a week and not just looking from outside.
6. Locking-mechanism – separating honey from population – this WILL KILL BEES 100% sure, when you close it. You also cause stress when you cut off the bees from their honey supply, there will always be some bees left and the bees cannot reduce the humidity to increase the quality of honey.
7. These days beekeeping becomes very popular – however it is now a way to be “cool”. For serious hobby-beekeepers it is a nightmare. Many begin with high motivation, little knowledge – bees are like little infants YOU CANNOT DROP THEM after 1-2years when it is no more suitable, no more stylish or it is in competition with your instagram-vacation!
8. SUPPORT ambitious beekeeper with LESS than 20 but more than 2 hives!!!!! Why? They can keep a population alive and their income does not depend on the amount of honey! Check their equipment, check where they keep their hives and HOW they treat their bees. IT IS A LOT OF WORK. Buy honey of them, even it is a little more expensive than in the supermarket. Their honey usually is of superior taste.