1:1 Spatial Intervention Design Development

We developed a design that allows for community engagement and a sense of welcoming. An animal shelter, feeder, and bath spot.

The aim is to acknowledge the situated ecology of the selected points in our transect and provide design suggestions. 

To do so, we created a design intervention which values concepts of affordance, resilience, and co-existence within the spatial, urban, and interior design aspects

Matters of concern include; the concept of a Welcoming environment and the sense of Community. 

Affordance: 

• shelter,

• feeding,

• community building between human and non-human

Target:

• wild animals; Birds, squirrels, mice, foxes.

• Humans: to add additional feed when possible

Issues:

• mixing of zones - predator and prey

• ease of transportation - scale, weight, collapsible design

• drainage / filtration of water

• Cleanliness

Solution

• removal of ‘fox den’

• allows for a smaller design that is lighter and easy to carry, cleanliness

• drainage system will be integrated - clean water supply from rain & prevent overfilling

Figure 1: Concept of Animal Complex by Danil Loskutov

Printed using PLA, a thermoplastic derived from organic sources like cornstarch or sugar cane, the Shelter is assembled in four sections connected with prefabricated dowels. Its compact design allows for convenient transportation and assembly. Additionally, windows, entryway insets, and the roof were crafted from recycled plastic bottles collected during the break.

Stage 1

We first tested it at Eldon Building, University of Portsmouth courtyard on the 17th of April 2024.

Minimal traffic from the birds but insects interacted with the installation. We found the roof to be restricting some of the functions of the design so it was removed for the time being.

Stage 2

Stage 2 was to test our design in the locations of our transect in Gosport.

At first, our design wasn't attracrting the small birds we'd hope for. Placing it in a quiet location meant we less adventurous birds. We noticed it takes one brave birds to test it out first and the rest will follow. Main users were the rats of the sky; pigeons.

Some human interactions were spotted. Someone thought it to be a mouse trap, another was helping us feed the birds with their toddler.

Upon observing the shelter in action, several aspects emerged that require further attention:

Size: Despite its compactness and portability, the shelter attracted more seagulls and pigeons than anticipated. While the initial design aimed to accommodate small nesting birds, it became evident that pigeons could not utilize the inner chambers as intended. and for that, we opted to separate the compartments into three open fields for them to venture into.

Stability: Although structurally sound, birds seemed hesitant to land on the top section to access the feeding bowl, possibly due to perceived instability. Exploring options like placing the shelter closer to the ground or hanging it from a tree may improve bird engagement.

Time: Establishing the shelter as a sustainable food and water source may take several months, as indicated by RSPB community discussions. This timeframe exceeded our initial observation period, during which nesting by small birds was not expected.

Considering the community targeted by this design, both human and non-human participants expressed interest, aligning with the shelter's overarching goal. The aim was to create a shared space fostering responsibility among humans for animal welfare and facilitating trust-building among animal inhabitants, reducing competition for essential resources.

Stage 3

In response to these considerations, we revisited our design and proposed an alternative solution. While retaining the essence of our original concept, we implemented the following modifications:

Expanding the shelter's footprint and abandoning the modular stacking system to enhance stability, facilitating bird landings on or within the structure to access the bath and feeder.

Significantly raising the roof, which serves as a rainwater collector for the integrated bird bath, to accommodate larger birds.

Integrating the feeder into the shelter's core, featuring a metal mesh and overflow feeding trays throughout, promoting nesting and enabling access to food for larger animals like squirrels.

Adding a hook on the roof to facilitate easy suspension from tree branches

In conclusion, our journey of designing and refining the shelter has been both enlightening and rewarding. Through careful observation and thoughtful reflection, we have identified areas for improvement and devised innovative solutions to address them. By prioritizing stability, accessibility, and inclusivity, we have transformed our initial concept into a more effective and accommodating habitat for both avian and non-avian inhabitants. As stewards of our environment, it is our duty to continuously evaluate and adapt our designs to better serve the needs of all living beings. We look forward to seeing our enhanced shelter contribute to fostering harmony and coexistence among diverse species, reinforcing our commitment to creating a more sustainable and interconnected world.

All figures (except figure 1) are by author