Nest Flipping

Nest Flipping 

Designing a new home for the Swiftlet Bird

But first a little about me. I'm Michelle and my major is in Architecture Design. I like to see every design as a big puzzle that can be solved beautifully without mitigating its functionality. I pay close attention to the small details that can affect the user of my designs, such as comfortability, visuals, and temperature. I like to take inspiration from nature and the things I see around me.

MY PROJECT:

I will research and recreate my own version of a swiftlet nest. The swiftlet is a small bird that can be found in the caves of south-east Asia. They are famous for making their nest with solidified saliva (aren't they cute?).

The swiftlet's nest is the main ingredient for bird nest soup, which is a popular and luxurious dish in China. However, there are reports of depleting the swiftlet population of about four million birds dues to nest theft and unsustainable harvesting practices (Liljas). 

To that, I propose to design and build a replacement nest for these poor evicted birds that harvesters can switch out.

Here is the beginning mock-up of the design. This is made from stacking basswood sticks. They alternate like bricks and then shift to imitate the curve of the actual nest. Aesthetically, it looks nice. But I don't think it will be very comfortable, so I am going to continue experimenting with different materials. Stay tuned for that!

https://www.insider.com/bird-nest-eggs-wildlife-photos-2019-12#swiftlets-build-nests-out-of-their-saliva-on-cave-walls-and-cliff-sides-15