Kingston University graduate Aaron Dunkerton has designed an enclosed cavity brick fitting that allows endangered birds to nest in new buildings and garden walls.
Aaron Dunkerton’s Bird Brick cavity is made of five handmade, clamp-fired bricks which can be built into new buildings or garden walls to encourage birds to nest in urban areas. Birds can access the sealed cavity through a small clay entrance hole.
“Over the last 50 years the UK has lost over 44 million birds,” Dunkerton told Dezeen. “The house sparrow population has decreased by almost 70% and I decided to do something to help with their conservation.”
“House sparrows are sociable birds. They like to nest in small colonies of three to four breeding pairs in and around homes. However, as these holes and gaps are being filled up for better insulation, these birds are running out of places to nest,” said Dunkerton.
Each cavity must be cleared out once every 2-5 years, between September and November. The circular brick stopper twists out to allow the enclosed cavity to be cleaned out and must then be re-pointed in place.
The bricks were cast with the help of UK-based brick company, MBH Freshfield Lane in West Sussex.
Bird Brick was one of 20 projects shortlisted for the Design Council’s 2013 Future Pioneer Award, and was exhibited at New Designers 2013 in London last month, alongside New Designer of the Year Henry Franks.
Dunkerton will also exhibit work at London Design Festival 2013, with graduate design collective NOUS, which also includes Alice Kim’s maternity vest for plants.
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Aaron Dunkerton appeared first on Dezeen.
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