In recent years, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has successfully campaigned against surrounding luxury residential high-rise building developments that would block sunlight exposure to large areas of their plant collection. For the summer of 2024, they’ve enlisted architects to create an alternative high-rise city for some of the hardest working insects in the garden. The Pollinator Lounge aims to become a temporary home for bees, wasps, butterflies and moths. All of which are essential contributors to the ecosystem within the garden.
The Pollinators Lounge is the second iteration of this constructed habitat project developed by architects and educators Joyce Hwang and Nerea Feliz of Double Happiness. The first, a Multispecies Lounge was installed in Toronto in 2023 with even broader accommodations for urban wildlife. For the Brooklyn Botanic Garden installation, the pair used a similar framework of metal mesh cages filled with rocks that support seating and columns. Within the columns are the insect habitats created by students attending the University at Buffalo and the University of Texas at Austin. Each of these wood enclosures are part sheltered living environment and artwork. Since many insects can see UV light, each habitat includes UV painted portions to attract their attention.
What’s interesting about this project is the creative consideration for other species within a human constructed environment. Pretty much all architecture is focused on keeping insects and pests out either through construction, anti-nesting spikes or mesh, and exterminator services. Considering an approach that integrates wildlife habitats into buildings for the benefit for local ecosystems can offer more creativity in the design of buildings and probably some really good honey.
Photos and Text: Dave Pinter
