Design Traps for Birds

True or false? Birds can't perceive right angles as indicators of obstacles.
True. Right angles, glass, transparent windows - all are architectural obstacles that birds cannot perceive. When birds sees clouds and sky reflected in a glass high rise or trees and shrubs reflecting off your living room window they merely think it's a continuation of the sky or their reflected habitat. Reflected vegetation is the most dangerous, however, birds also try to fly through transparent windows as they try to reach a perch seen on the other side. For more dangerous architectural bird obstacles read this great article by Christine Sheppard on Architecture Week or Bird Friendly Building Design on the American Bird Conservancy site.

images top: Dundarave bungalow -  a 'tunnel' and a window reflecting tall trees and shrubs

center: Staples Residence West Vancouver - a bird death trap. Transparent windows, tunnels and reflective glass

bottom: Cordova St. Vancouver - a combination of architectural eras. Which is the least bird-friendly?

A familiar pile of dirt - Another West Vancouver Home Demolition

Mansions of Vancouver Architect Dan White from bijouliving

  I'll give you a hint, I originally wrote about it in June 2010 and again in October 2011.  I wonder if I can get my hands on the blueprints now (West Vancouver City Hall wouldn't let me see them in 2010)?  Think the beautiful bird sanctuary of a front yard ended up in a Smithrite?  For more images, click one of the dates above.

Mid-Century West Vancouver Home - Baker Residence

Significant West Vancouver support building. F.G. Architectural and Planning Consultants, The West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945-1975, (West Vancouver, BC, 1994), 88.
Architect - Peter Faulkner-Smith
Date - June 1, 1958
Location - Altamont, West Vancouver, BC
The home will be listed on the market soon.

Zevaco Residence and Studio Morocco

A single-storey residence conceived for the architect's own use for both living and working facilities. The plan develops in a circular pattern. Bedrooms and services are organized around a central living area capped by a movable glass roof converting it into an open patio. The continuity and definition of spaces is obtained by the diverse treatment of levels, landscaping, and water pools forming a link between exterior and interior areas. Reinforced concrete columns and load-bearing masonry walls make up the main structure.

Built: 1979
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Architect: Jean Francois Zevaco
Images © the architect
Via: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Library

Rustic Camper Van Conversions

The other day it dawned on me why I prefer vernacular homes with cedar siding - Little House on the Prairie. Right!

Could it be that Bill and Beck Goddard do as well? The Goddard's family-run business, Rustic Campers, is a bespoke camper van conversion company that sources local materials to convert your van, motor home, or even Mercedes cargo into your own Little House on the Road.

Living in that 'van down by the river' is becoming more appealing, is it not?

The Little House on the prairie, (actually located in Simi, California and unfortunately burnt down during the wildfires a few years back).
© Little House Insider

top images © Rustic Camper