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- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektThat's not the world's biggest <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beijing-birdsnest-new-pics-of-herzog-demeurons-stunning-stadium/">bird nest</a> - it's the Stork Nest Farm, a rehabilitated farmstead that now serves as an event, leisure and recreation center about 50 km south of Prague. Every year a flock of storks return to the farm to nest, and this annual migration inspired <a href="http://www.sglprojekt.cz/projects.php?catid=12&id=61">SGL Projekt</a> to design the center around these birds. The riding arena resembles a giant woven bird's nest and utilizes natural daylighting and ventilation to keep the space comfortable. The farmstead now holds a variety of events and also works to protect the local fauna of the area.1
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektWork began on the renovation and rehabilitation of the farmstead back in 2006 so it could be used for company presentations, corporate events and leisure activities.2
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektThe farmstead is situated around a large pond and included a distillery with a large chimney.3
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektSince 1926, almost 90 generations of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Stork" target="_blank">storks</a> have returned from Africa to the farm to nest and have made their home on the chimney.4
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektThe storks' fidelity inspired the renovation of the farmstead and the construction of the new riding arena.5
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektA new yard has been built for animals and a large multi-purpose indoor riding arena was built to resemble a bird's nest.6
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektWith an external diameter of 34 meters and height of 12.5 meters, the arena is used for riding or for a variety of presentations, cultural and social events and features a VIP section as well as stands to seat 200 spectators.7
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektThe stork's nest arena is built with arced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glued_laminated_timber" target="_blank">glulam timber</a> beams covered in translucent polycarbonate and a woven nest of oak logs.8
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektThis allows some natural daylight to filter through, but provides shade to minimize overheating. Otherwise the structure is naturally ventilated using the stack effect and a large operable skylight in the center of the arena.9
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL Projekt<a href="http://www.sglprojekt.cz/">SGL Projekt</a> completed the renovation in 2010 and since then has become a landmark and attraction in the area. The Prague-based firm has also worked to provide protection of the fauna to the farm and has received a short list nomination for the <a href="http://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/project.cfm?id=3146" target="_blank">World Architecture Festival in 2011</a>.10
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektDaylighting and ventilation scheme.11
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektCross section of the stork nest arena.12
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektFloor plan of the stork nest arena.13
- Stork Nest Farm-SGL ProjektOverall site plan.14