These Multipurpose Roof Tiles Also Provide A House For Birds
Today, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, according to the UN. As a result, animals are forced to find ways to live in tight urban spaces and it’s not always easy. And birds are no exception.
It turns out, a creative design was key to solving a decline in urban bird populations. It all started when the Dutch product design agency Klaas Kuiken came up with the idea to design a roof tile that doubles as a bird house. The idea was snatched by Hitit Terra, a Turkish terracotta manufacturer based in the town of Çorum, which then started producing the bird nest tiles for the local communities. Mahmoud Basic, the regional director for the national parks, told a local news website that the tiles were to be produced and distributed to the people free of charge. Let’s take a look at this creative design solution below.
The Turkish company Hitit Terra is now manufacturing these roof tiles that double as bird shelters
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
The Hitit Terra founders, Cengiz Başaranhıncal and Ali Arslan, said that the idea to produce bird nest tiles came after they saw the design on social media. Ali explained that the price of the tile online came out at around $70, which, in his opinion, was too high and they started making their own product for a local market.
Hitit Terra’s bird nest tiles were tested by Afyon Nature Conservation and the 5th Regional Directorate of National Parks and re-designed according to the demand. They now produce 4-5 different tile designs that accommodate different bird species.
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
In fact, bird houses are rooted in Turkish history. Back in the times of the Ottoman Empire, people would build elaborate miniature palaces for the birds. Not only did they give animals shelter, they were also believed to grant good deeds to whoever built them. Check out this fascinating architecture in our previous article right here.
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
Image credits: hititterra
The tradition originated in the Ottoman Empire, where people created elaborate mini architectural mansions for birds
Image credits: canercangul
Image credits: canercangul
Image credits: canercangul
But many felt quite critical about the idea
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Nice idea, but that hole is too big compared to the space inside. So either small birds dont use it cause theyre too vulnerable and big birds dont use it cause they dont have enough room inside. Someone also mentioned the stick, and that is also a valid point. I have to say they look cute though, would absolutely use one if they tweaked it a bit.
hobbitly Great point. This roof tile is more like plate for cats or raptors.
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No Lucas, it's different, your wooden bird houses are in garden, not on a roof. Birds use houses for nesting, and they love trees.
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Nice idea, but that hole is too big compared to the space inside. So either small birds dont use it cause theyre too vulnerable and big birds dont use it cause they dont have enough room inside. Someone also mentioned the stick, and that is also a valid point. I have to say they look cute though, would absolutely use one if they tweaked it a bit.
hobbitly Great point. This roof tile is more like plate for cats or raptors.
Load More Replies... No Lucas, it's different, your wooden bird houses are in garden, not on a roof. Birds use houses for nesting, and they love trees.
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