Carl Xavier Jules Caliva, Burhan Ranalawala, Si Jia Wang,
Suwathy Vivekananthan, Dean Roumanis, Cassidy Ho
Birdwatching in the Chester Meadows: nestle and hide
In the last decade, birdwatching structures have been lackluster in innovation and design. Commonly featuring a tall tower or a single level structure with slits across the wall, this design has been functional but lacking in combining the experience of high and low levels together. Within our design, a dualistic setup has been created to allow the user to experience birdwatching high up in the air, or close by the river to observe waterfowl along River Dee. To allow for optimal views, our taller structure, or “bird-hide sky,” directs views north and south to avoid the sun. To incorporate these structures into Chester Meadows, risers have been used to minimize the impact on the ground and environment, and furthering this mission, materials have been locally sourced with no metal fasteners in the construction process. Materiality was chosen upon the emphasis of the different experiences of birdwatching in the sky in contrast to the grounvd. The floating structure is built from wood to create a lightness in opposition to the rock used in the grounded structure, “bird-hide water”. Both high and low laying structures have space for birds to nest whilst maintaining a peaceful and non-disturbing environment. Through our design, we intend to provide a space in which humans and birds can utilize as a resting place whilst observing and thriving together.
Birdwatching in the Chester Meadows: nestle and hide
In the last decade, birdwatching structures have been lackluster in innovation and design. Commonly featuring a tall tower or a single level structure with slits across the wall, this design has been functional but lacking in combining the experience of high and low levels together. Within our design, a dualistic setup has been created to allow the user to experience birdwatching high up in the air, or close by the river to observe waterfowl along River Dee. To allow for optimal views, our taller structure, or “bird-hide sky,” directs views north and south to avoid the sun. To incorporate these structures into Chester Meadows, risers have been used to minimize the impact on the ground and environment, and furthering this mission, materials have been locally sourced with no metal fasteners in the construction process. Materiality was chosen upon the emphasis of the different experiences of birdwatching in the sky in contrast to the grounvd. The floating structure is built from wood to create a lightness in opposition to the rock used in the grounded structure, “bird-hide water”. Both high and low laying structures have space for birds to nest whilst maintaining a peaceful and non-disturbing environment. Through our design, we intend to provide a space in which humans and birds can utilize as a resting place whilst observing and thriving together.
