Native to southeastern Australia, the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) is threatened and facing the prospect of homelessness.
These birds dont make nests they use large hollows in old, tall trees. But humans have been removing such trees in the bush and in cities, despite their ecological value.
Read more: To save these threatened seahorses, we built them 5-star underwater hotels
Owls are lured into cities by abundant prey, with each bird capturing hundreds of possums per year. But with nowhere to nest, they struggle to breed and their population is at risk of declining even further.
Conservationists tried to solve this problem by installing nesting boxes, but to no avail. A 2011 study in Victoria showed a pair of owls once used such a box, but only one of their two chicks survived. This is the only recorded instance of powerful-owl breeding in an artificial structure.
So as a team of designers and ecologists were finding a way to make artificial nests in urban areas more appealing to powerful owls. Surprisingly, the answer lies in termite mounds, augmented reality and 3D printing.
Nesting boxes arent very successful for many species. For example, many boxes installed along expanded highways fail to attract animals such as the squirrel glider, the superb parrot and the brown treecreeper. They also tend to disintegrate and become unusable after only a few years.
Read more: The plan to protect wildlife displaced by the Hume Highway has failed
Whats more, flaws in their design can lead to overheating, death from toxic fumes such as marine-plywood vapours, or babies unable to grow.
Designers and architects often use computer modelling to mimic nature in building designs, such as Beijings birds nest stadium.
But to use these skills to help wildlife, we need to understand what they want in a home. And for powerful owls, this means thinking outside the box.
At a minimum, owl nests must provide enough space to support a mother and two chicks, shelter the inhabitants from rain and heat, and have rough internal surfaces for scratching and climbing.
Traditionally, owls would find all such comforts in large, old, hollow-bearing trees, such as swamp or manna gums at least 150 years old. But a picture from Sydney photographer Ofer Levy, which showed an owl nesting in a tree-bound termite mound, made us realise there was another way.
Termite mounds in trees are oddly shaped, but they meet all necessary characteristics for successful breeding. This precedent suggests younger, healthier and more common trees can become potential nesting sites.
To design and create each termite-inspired nest, we first use lasers to model the shape of the target tree. A computer algorithm generates the structure fitting the owls requirements. Then, we divide the structure into interlocking blocks that can be conveniently manufactured.
To assemble the nests, we use augmented-reality headsets, overlaying images of digital models onto physical objects. It sounds like science-fiction, but holographic construction with augmented reality has become an efficient way to create new structures.
So far, weve used 3D-printed wood to build one nest at the University of Melbournes System Garden. Two more nests made from hemp concrete are on the trees in the city of Knox, near the Dandenong Ranges. And were exploring other materials such as earth or fungus.
These materials can be moulded to a unique fit, and as theyre lightweight, we can easily fix them onto trees.
We are still collecting and analysing the data, but early results are promising. Our nests have important advantages over both traditional nesting boxes and carved logs.
This is, in part, because our artificial nests maintain more stable internal temperatures than nesting boxes and are considerably easier to make and install than carved logs. In other words, our designs already look like a good alternative.
Read more: B&Bs for birds and bees: transform your garden or balcony into a wildlife haven
And while its too early to say if theyll attract owls, our nests have already been visited or occupied by other animals, such as rainbow lorikeets.
Imagine an ecologist, a park manager or even a local resident who wants to boost local biodiversity. In the not-too-distant future, they might select a target species and a suitable tree from an online database. An algorithm could customise their choice of an artificial-nest design to fit the target tree. Remote machines would manufacture the parts and the end user would put the structure together.
Such workflows are already being used in a variety of fields, such as the custom jewellery production and the preparation of dental crowns. It allows informed and automated reuse of scientific and technical knowledge, making advanced designs significantly more accessible.
Our techniques could be used to ease the housing crisis for a wide range of other sites and species, from fire-affected animals to critically endangered wildlife such as the swift parrot or Leadbeaters possum.
More here:
Urban owls are losing their homes. So we're 3D printing them new ones - The Conversation AU
- Diamond Custom Homes unveils new spec home in The Moorings - Naples Florida Weekly - December 21st, 2024 [December 21st, 2024]
- Local veteran to receive custom-built house from Homes for Our Troops - Effingham Herald - September 20th, 2024 [September 20th, 2024]
- The New American Home 2024: Design and Features - Pro Builder - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Illinois construction contractor faces $264K in proposed fines for again failing to protect employees from deadly fall ... - US Department of Labor - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 Ad - RA Snoznik Construction Inc - The Village on Kistler Ridge - Tribune-Review - TribLIVE.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Old mobile home stigmas are leading to higher housing costs - Bangor Daily News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Find the Home of your Dreams in Crestmont View - Avenue Calgary - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Houses vs. Trees in Colleyville: Trees Win Against WillowTree Custom Homes For Third Time - CandysDirt.com - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Diamond Custom Homes breaks ground on new Gulf Shore Drive residence - Naples Daily News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- More builds, supply chain issues lead to increase in construction thefts - Wink News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Harbor Custom Development, Inc. Releases Third Quarter Financial Results and Reports Record Net Income of $3.6 Million - Yahoo Finance - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- New McKinney neighborhood will have rental homes - The Dallas Morning News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Expensive homes on the market in Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Journal - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Property Transactions: Nov. 3 | Business - news-herald.net - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Attleboro man aims to do 11 hours of pullups on Nov. 11 to benefit vets - The Sun Chronicle - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Custom home with barn on 10 acres in Fishing Creek Valley for 940K: Cool Spaces - pennlive.com - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- In the market for a luxurious home? This tour highlights 8 new communities hidden in the Texas Hill Country - KSAT San Antonio - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- Cypress wood brings a dash of spice and style - Mountain Democrat - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- Could tiny homes help families who lost houses in the Creek Fire? - YourCentralValley.com - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- ADUs are now reality for California. Heres some of what to expect when you build one. - Monterey County Weekly - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- House of the Week: Live outside the traditional box in Northboro French Colonial, $824,900 - Worcester Telegram - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- Boris Moroz: Celebrating the centenary of a community builder in every sense of the word - The Suburban Newspaper - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- Tour a Modern San Diego Home That Was Completely Constructed and Decorated During the Pandemic - Architectural Digest - April 24th, 2021 [April 24th, 2021]
- KingsGate Luxury Homes, a ThreeBestRated award-winning home builder, states the pros & cons of custom-built homes - PRUnderground - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Hoying & Hoying enters 44th year of building homes - sidneydailynews.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- The Raphael: Once-in-a-Lifetime Historic Living in Hoboken - hobokengirl.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Stock Adding Selection Of Luxury Inventory Residences For 2021 - Florida Weekly - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Developer looking to build up to 32 high-end homes on flank of North Table Mountain - Arvada Press - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- How Avenue Interior Design Renovated The Hilton Santa Monica Hotel In The Middle Of The Pandemic - Forbes - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- This Dallas family business went from building floral displays at big events to fixing up homes - The Dallas Morning News - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Cheyenne River Youth Project serves 265+ families in 2020 Toy Drive - Drgnews - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Here are the 10 priciest houses in Prince George in 2021 - PrinceGeorgeMatters.com - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Pea Architecture & Engineering Corporation Announces Lead Architect, Developer, and Visionary, Manuel Pea, Traveling to Dubai for Major Project... - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Conroe's Grand Central Park opens new section on heels of record year - Houston Chronicle - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- 2 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the Missoula Area - Statesville Record & Landmark - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Small house, big plans: Made-in-Edmonton project will take tiny home on tour then give it away - CBC.ca - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Exclusive Utah housing community offers access to both heli-skiing and fishing - ABC 4 - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Homes Recently Listed in the Missoula Area | Home and Garden - The Missoulian - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- First Coast veteran given home by Operation Finally Home - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Is Ohio ready to ramp up coronavirus vaccinations? The Wake Up for Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 - cleveland.com - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- South Shore Home of the Week: Patterson Pond Estates offers custom homes, idyllic setting - Wicked Local - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Big Homes Just Listed in the Billings Area - Statesville Record & Landmark - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- View the WINNERS of Saucon Sources 2020 Holiday Lights Contest - Saucon Source - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Home of the Week: A brand-new farmhouse in Beverly Hills - Los Angeles Times - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- 'This is like my dream home': Renovated home donated to Windsor family brought together by tragedy - CTV News Windsor - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Unwrap the Magic | Haven House in Seattle - GeekWire - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Randall Jason Armstrong | Obituaries | wilsonpost.com - Wilson Post - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Tiny townhouse project potential housing solution for Vancouver's DTES - Vancouver Is Awesome - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- DEED TRANSFERS: Town of Victor - MPNnow.com - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Fox 4 uncovers thousands of complaints filed against Southwest Florida contractors - Fox 4 - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- Amazing Rockport estate leaves nothing to the imagination - The Salem News - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- Where Americans Build the Biggest Homes - theMReport.com - The MReport - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- House of the Week: Couple call their North Syracuse ranch their major party house - syracuse.com - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- Home of the Week: A jagged structure in Santa Monica - Los Angeles Times - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- Garfield Township To Discuss Proposed Apartment Complex, Bed & Breakfast - Traverse City Ticker - December 11th, 2020 [December 11th, 2020]
- Financial Services and Front Office Executive and Former NBA Player Wally Walker Appointed to Harbor Custom Development, Inc. Board of Directors -... - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Areas at High Wildfire Risk, Relative Affordability Lures U.S. Homebuyers - World Property Journal - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Local Roots Give Rhetson Co. Room to Grow - Southern Pines Pilot - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- How this South Dakota designer learned to appreciate the slow moments - Business of Home - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Mansion Monday: Top 5 Mansions of the Week - duPont REGISTRY DAILY - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- "The Commons" entertainment area breaking ground this Fall - The Oxford Eagle - Oxford Eagle - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Mantell-Hecathorn Builders named Grand Award Winner by Department of Energy - The Durango Herald - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Community, tranquility, proximity: Rogers Ranch is a top place to live in S.A. - mySA - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Finding your new family fit - The West Australian - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- 5 homes on the Birmingham market with fantastic outdoor spaces - Bham Now - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Josh Tannariello, CEO of MasterBeat Corporation, and MSTO Board Member Brad Knight are Featured in a New Audio Interview with SmallCapVoice.com -... - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Luxury housing development on Webb Hill could reroute Kentucky Lucky Chicken trail - The Spectrum - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- In Search of the Perfect Shot | News | myhorrynews.com - Myhorrynews - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Terror Trail maps out spooky homes, trick-or-treating spots in Trumbull - Trumbull Times - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Jon Reed proud to serve with K-9 - Sedona Red Rock News - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Homes: What about $490,000 can buy in Sumner County - Tennessean - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- Home of the Week: Inside a Stunning New Waterfront Golf Community in St. Lucia - Robb Report - October 15th, 2020 [October 15th, 2020]
- One owner of HD Custom Homes arrested, the other on the run - NBC2 News - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- Parade of Homes winners announced | Business | record-eagle.com - Traverse City Record Eagle - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- $850,000 Homes in Maryland, New Mexico and New York - The New York Times - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- OHBA ANNOUNCES THE 2020 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION FINALISTS - GlobeNewswire - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- Get cozy: Capital Region homes for sale with warm and inviting fireplaces - Albany Times Union - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- 5 Benefits of Wrought Iron at Home - Big Easy Magazine - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- Disrupting the Industry with Homes of the Future - Press Release - Digital Journal - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]
- More Info on "The first-ever modular apartment building in Washington, DC" coming to the former Sweet Mango spot in Petworth - PoPville - October 1st, 2020 [October 1st, 2020]