These modular birdhouses were inspired by the urban act of throwing shoes over power lines. These birdhouses can be clustered in various sized groups and slung over branches, power lines or fire escapes, creating a bird community. The houses leverage prefabrication and are conceived and designed in the spirit of the collective. The Birdhouses are a preoccupation involving our research in prefabrication, single surfaces, modularity and community. Currently limited to in-house prototypes, we are researching methods for larger scale production and purchase.

The birdhouse is linked directly to the rapid prototyping process as a plug-and-play geometry with the SLA (stereolithography) or SLS (selective laser sintering) 3D printer. Punctures give a secondary texture to the geometry, allow the nest to reveal itself outside the soft shell and provide drainage. The polymer material is bead blasted to a soft translucency and is dishwasher safe.

Because one size house does not fit all birds, the geometry of the house and punctures are parametrically linked to the size of any given bird. For example, a bluebird requires a 5” x 5” x 8” house with a 1 1/2” hole. As such, the model is scaled by factor X, and uploaded to the rapid prototype machine for fabrication.