Overview
Wings & Shells is a project I did for my final year studying Design+.
To address the disappearing greenery and the resulting impact on bat and beetle populations, I propose creating two-layered arched capsules on residential buildings.
Time
September 2023 - December 2023
Role
Product Designer
Prototyping and testing, Interaction, Visual design, Storyboard, Filmmaker, Video editing
To address the disappearing greenery and the resulting impact on bat and beetle populations, I propose creating two-layered arched capsules on residential buildings.
These capsules would serve as homes for bats and beetles, while also providing a transparent space for plants to grow. Inspired by Jau De Paume and architects, this design aims to create a symbiotic relationship between humans and interspecies. The capsules would allow for increased interactions and offer a unique opportunity for residents to observe and interact with the bats and beetles. By implementing a water tube system, humans can help with watering and promote the well-being of both plants and bats. Wood and plastic would be used as materials for constructing these capsules, ensuring durability and sustainability. Through this initiative, we can preserve species, foster interactions, and contribute to a better future for all.
During research, I have found that insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and more are commonly found in Banyan Tree areas. I have chosen Bats and Beetles as the primary species to focus on for this project, after finding the benefits that they can bring to our world, but also their unusual connection with each other.
Indian Flying Fox
They are commonly found in South Asia, including regions with banyan trees. They are known for their size and play important roles in pollination and seed dispersal. Indian Flying Foxes play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By ingesting and dispersing seeds as they fly, they contribute to plant diversity and regeneration. Additionally, their pollen-carrying visits to flowers facilitate fertilization and seed production, promoting the growth and reproduction of various plant species. This mutualistic relationship between bats and plants is crucial for the survival and diversity of specific flowering plants.
Ground Beetles
They are commonly found in South Asia, including regions with banyan trees. They are known for their size and play important roles in pollination and seed dispersal. Indian Flying Foxes play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By ingesting and dispersing seeds as they fly, they contribute to plant diversity and regeneration. Additionally, their pollen-carrying visits to flowers facilitate fertilization and seed production, promoting the growth and reproduction of various plant species. This mutualistic relationship between bats and plants is crucial for the survival and diversity of specific flowering plants.
Preferable entrance facing south or southeast to maximize sun exposure and warmth, as bats prefer warmer roosting conditions.
It would be great to use materials such as wood or recycled plastic that provide insulation and allow for breathability within the bat section. For Beetles Design Considerations
Incorporate a variety of microhabitats within the beetle habitat, including rocks, stones, and small brush piles. These features provide hiding places and shelter for beetles.
Integrate native plants and vegetation that support beetle populations.
Include a mix of flowering plants, grasses, and shrubs that provide food sources and nectar for adult beetles.
Maintain a moist environment within the habitat, as many beetle species thrive in damp or humid conditions.
Sketches and notes
After receiving comments, suggestions, and considerations, I have realized that it is surprising how Bats and Beetles have similar favourable weather conditions, with warm and humid climates favour both interspecies. It is important to also select wood and recycled plastics (acrylic) as the preferable material for making this product. With the direction of possibly 3D printing the idea, I then made sketches of the overall look of the capsule.
To make the idea into an actual prototype product, I have started making a Rhino 3D Model to visualize my final deliverables for this semester. To provide a great environment for both bats and beetles, a wood-type material and a transparent glass material is used during the rendering of this model.
To make the dimension 1:2, the overall capsule needs to be 25cm x 25cm. As I selected 3D printing to be the method of creating wood-like material, I needed to slice the outer capsule into four parts to maximize the size of the Prusa Printer. The 3D modelling process is seperated into two parts:
1. Outer Capsule I used Grasshopper to create a tube-like structure based on three lines across the shape. and mirrored it and baked the whole structure into Rhino.
2. Inner Capsule Made manually on Rhino, a side for Bats and a side for Beetles. Created holes for actual plastic tubes to facilitate the water system as intended.
Plants & transplanting
For this project, I believe it is crucial to implement a suitable environment specifically for beetles no matter what the scale of my project is. In mid-November, I set out to flower markets in Prince Edward, Hong Kong, to buy small plants’ seeds for planting. Part of this project was to increase human interactions with our environment and the interspecies, and planting seeds, encouraged me to water the plants every day until the capsule model is finished. Due to the capsule’s size, I have handpicked these smaller plants for building an environment/habitat for beetles to live in this scale of the capsule. After finishing the capsule model, I learned transplanting from my sister and transferred the plants into the capsule model I made.
Here are the steps I did:
Wings & Shells (Video)
Wings & Shells Photobook
I have learned so much in this course, I enjoyed making this project, as I never designed something for animal species before, so this is a great first experience.