From solar power to grey water systems, present residential trends are pointing towards a greener future. Even so, new housing projects rarely make concessions to the various fuzzy, slimy, and bitey creatures, which have arguably been here much longer than humankind. The future isn’t all asphalt and wind farms for our animal pals, as some Chiroptera lovers have created caves and towers in Texas to encourage the settlement of bats on their land. This idea spawned an open design contest, whereby architects and other creative types created permanent Bat Houses for the southwest London area. Guano anyone?
As is the case in Texas, there is great pressure on bat numbers in London as buildings get redeveloped and home improvements leave little space for bats to live in. Unless your name is Bruce Wayne, you’re probably not opening your door to invite bats into your residence for a spot of tea. The Bat House Project creates structures specifically for bats, taking into consideration a variety of species, which have different housing, lifestyle and hibernation needs.
The winning entry resembles flat branches layered in a picture frame, and it constructed entirely out of recycled and locally sourced materials. It provides the natural protection of a tree, as well as a warm and humid environment. Other notable entries range from a multi-functional box that is dropped by a military helicopter, to a structure picked from the pages of a Gothic fairy tail. For a closer look at all the winners, check out the gallery.
