Leading Architects Unveil Luxury Bug Hotels in London

Last month we showcased some fun <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/08/architects-design-luxe-bug-hotels-for-london-parks/" target="_blank">designs for luxury bee and bug hotels</a> that were set to take root in parks around London in hopes of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/02/british-supermarket-installs-bee-hotels/" target="_blank">buoying insect populations</a> with sustainable habitats. Five shortlisted designs were chosen for the <a href="http://www.britishland.com/responsibility/beyondthehive" target="_blank">Beyond the Hive competition</a> and built in the parks... and the two winners were just announced! The public's favorite design was the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/08/architects-design-luxe-bug-hotels-for-london-parks/beyond-the-hive-beevarian-antsel-and-gretal-chalet/?extend=1" target="_blank">Beevarian Anstel and Gretel Chalet by German Women in Property</a>, and the juried winner was the the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/08/architects-design-luxe-bug-hotels-for-london-parks/beyond-the-hive-the-insect-hotel/?extend=1" target="_blank">Insect Hotel by Arup Associates</a>. All the designs were built from recycled and reclaimed materials throughout the city.

<h3>The Insect Hotel</h3> The architectural firm Arup Associates, took home first prize as decided by an expert judging panel of industry experts from around London. The Insect Hotel consists of a series of compartments based on a Voronoi pattern, which can be found in the natural world in the rib structure of a dragonfly’s wing, and bears a close resemblance to honeycomb.

The ‘compartments’ created by the pattern provide the supporting armature for a variety of recycled waste materials and deadfall that are loosely inserted into the voids. In addition to catering for the needs of stag beetles, solitary bees, spiders, lacewings and ladybirds, the sides of the hotel are accessible for butterflies and moths and the top is suitable for absorbing rain water through planting

The Insect Hotel is a classic take on the structure of an urban hotel with multiple levels and a interesting facade based on a Voronoi pattern. The hotel is constructed from 25 layers of birch plywood with voids cut out using CNC, which will be loosely stuffed with recycled waste materials and deadfall for various bugs to make their way into. The sides of the hotel are accessible for butterflies and moths, and the top is suitable for absorbing rain water through planting. The Insect Hotel is found at St. Dunstan's in the East. <a href="http://www.arupassociates.com/AAH_News.asp" target="_blank"><big>+ Arup Associates</big></a>

<h3>Beevarian Antsel and Gretal Chalet</h3> </br> The Beevarian Antsel and Gretal Chalet by the organization 'German Women in Property’ won the 'Public's Favorite' award after a round of online voting. The design is based on a traditional Bavarian mountain chalet

The chalet was made from reclaimed bricks to attract solitary bees, rotten logs for invertebrates, louvered boxes filled with bark for hibernating butterflies, a log drilled with holes for ladybirds, and eaves filled with bamboo for lacewings. Set over three floors, all materials used were collected within the City.

This traditional German chalet was designed by “German Women in Property” to commemorate their recent excursion to London and is built for visiting insects from mainland Europe. The Beevarian Chalet is located at Cleary Garden.

<h3>Bumblebee City Nesters</h3> The Bumblebee City Nesters modular prefab by Fisher Tomlin (Professional Garden Designers &amp; Landscapers), is meant to encourage all sorts of bugs and bees and can be easily replicated in any park.

These eco skyscrapers for a bug's world were inspired by the towers of London and utilize modular construction to create various sized buildings - anything from a simple B&amp;B to a Burj Khalifa Bug Tower. A grouping of five towers ranging in heights is located at West Smithfield and constructed from recycled materials including recycled timber, recycled broom poles, and garden and building waste. Two local schools helped construct the towers, which were designed with solitary bees in mind, but can also provide a home for other insects.

<h3>Brookfield Bug Buddies</h3> Brookfield Bug Buddies was designed by Brookfield Europe in collaboration with various consultants working on the new London tower development, The Pinnacle.

The consultants and designers pose with their completed bug hotel, which was created using parts and pieces sourced from their project along with a recycled wood planter base.

<a href="http://www.brookfieldeurope.com/" target="_blank">Brookfield Europe</a> joined up with various consultants to design this bug tower, which was built from pipe work of different widths and lengths sourced from the Pinnacle project. Hilson Moran Partnership assessed the environmental impacts, while Arup Structures checked out the structural design, DP9 advised on possible planning considerations, and children at Sir John Cass secondary school sourced the local materials. Brookfield Bug Buddies is located at Postman's Park.

<h3>Inn Vertebrate</h3> Inn Vertebrate is a multi-story inn designed by ORTLOS Space Engineering and Metalanguage Design to reflect the many different types of architecture in London.

The Inn Vertebrate was inspired by the diverse architecture of London, and is a multi-story habitat with different size holes and spaces for various invertebrates. Constructed from recycled and reclaimed wood, bricks and off-cuts found in surrounding areas, this bug inn is located at Bunhill Fields surrounded by wildflowers that were donated by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.