After unveiling a museum made from Legos to a pixelated office space in the metaverse, Bjarke Ingels Group has clearly outdone itself each time. And in proving so, the marquee has recently unveiled a space in Sweden’s Treehotel that is flanked by hundreds of birdhouses (350 to be pricese) on each side. Yes, that’s right!
Called ‘Biosphere,’ the project spans across 34 sqm and is the Treehotel’s 8th experimental guest room (in addition to the pre-existing seven architect-designed rooms that are suspended from and around the trunks of pine trees). It is aimed to target the decline of bird populations in Sweden and, in turn, strengthen the natural biosphere.
Commenting on it, Swedish Ornithologist Ulf Ohman who worked in collaboration with Bjarke on the room, said, “Inventories in Norrbotten County, carried out both by us as ornithologists and by the county administrative board, show that the number of different bird populations is decreasing. Forestry has led to a reduced number of natural holes in trees where breeding bird nests. the installation of bird nests is, therefore, an important measure to take.”
He further added, “Furthermore, climate change leads to the insect boom happening earlier in the year, and by the time the birds’ eggs hatch, the boom has already passed. Feeding is an important support mechanism for the birds that stay in northern Sweden and require food during winter. Demonstrating the use of bird nests and feeding, not just at the Treehotel but for people to install near their own homes, is valuable. an initiative from Treehotel to take such measures may inspire their visitors to do the same.”
Noting similarly, BIG founder Bjarke Ingels said, “I got to spend a few days and nights in some of the Treehotels rooms right before the pandemic, and left with a sense of rejuvenation from a complete immersion in nature…I couldn’t help wondering if there was a way to take the immersion one step further – and almost instantly the idea of inviting not only the human visitors but also the resident bird and bat population to cohabit a spherical swarm of nests came to life.”
To reach Biosphere, guests will have to tread a suspended bridge to enter a welcoming space with simple décor and organic materials. The highlight of the space, of course, is the roof terrace that offers a panoramic view of the forest and is ideal for some contemplative time in nature.
Designed to accommodate two guests, the Biosphere includes one double bed, a living space, a shower and incinerating toilet, and a sauna. It is currently under construction and is expected to open to the public in May 2022, with rates starting at $1,269 per night.
[Via: CNN]
