Honey Haven
Project Statement
Our site is based in Hole Farm, Brentwood. East of England, Essex. It is approximately an hour drive from London. However it is not accessible if you don’t have a car. The journey involves a lot of walking and taking buses from Brentwood station, around two hours away from central london. On the site currently are two barns storing hay. They will soon be demolished for a visitors center that is based on the local vernacular of the site. Forestry England have planned to turn Hole Farm into a forest planting thousands of trees on what are now empty agricultural fields. In this process they also want to reintroduce insects such as pollinators back to the site to help plant and tree growth.
In response to this I have designed Bee Haven. A visitors center for people of all ages to learn about honey making, the history of it and bee preservation. Bees are due to be extinct by 2050 due to global warming, climate change and deadly diseases caused by chemicals and Pesticides. Therefore the center aims to conserve bees for future generations so in 100 years time people will still have bees in their ecosystems.
Bee haven serves as a hub for bee preservation aiming to spread awareness of the importance of bees in our local vernacular and how they are at the heart of our ecosystem. Bees play a crucial role serving as nature’s most efficient pollinator. They help to pollinate one third of our crops globally. Hugley contributes to the globe’s food production in foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts.
In the near future when the trees planted by Forestry England begin to bloom the flowers produce pollen and nectar which are then collected by the bees. The nectar then turns into honey. A sweet viscous liquid that has a history of over 4,000 years ago. Traditionally used in medicine it is now most popularly used as a sweetener. Honey is known for having a long shelf life, arguably lasting a lifetime. A Cooking workshop on site will teach visitors seasonal honey recipes and live stream footage of the bees will allow the visitors to feel as if they are in the hive. The main focus of the center is to put the visitors in the bees’ shoes, they can see the honey process, hear the hive, smell the honey and have a sensory experience whilst learning about our bees.
Researchers on site will analyze and maintain the hives to ensure the bees are healthy and thriving. They will also research common diseases and how to prevent them. Another product the center is looking into is honey dew, made from tree sap. This is less seasonal as honey, therefore can be the focus during the colder months.
Hole Farm, Brentwood
Our site is located on Hole Farm, Brentwood. Essex, East of london. It has future plans of tree growth and there are two existing barns currently used for hay storage existing on site.
During the 1960’s the site was used for agriculture, raising animals and growing crops. The most common modes of transport to get to the site was via tractors or walking. The demographic during the 60’s were mostly farmers in the 50+ age range. Currently the site has people of all ages however mostly aged 40+ and it is owned by private property owners. The site now has plantations and construction for new woodlands such as Forestry england. Access to the site from Brentwood station involves taking the bus, walking or cycling. The site isn’t accessible unless you arrive by car. Future plans for the site involve new woodlands
The arable fields at Hole Farms are of low ecological value, however, the hedges, trees and ponds serve as habitats to a wide range of animals, as shown in the mapping.
The soil on site is rich in clay, silt and sand. As clay is a substance which contains a lot of moisture, building foundations on site will require water-proof materials. Potassium and phosphorus are present in the soil at Hole Farm, which make it suitable for plant growth.
Long Shelf Life Foods
Wholesome Pasta was a paired project for a shelter that faces the entrance of the visitors center. It mainly focuses on having a circular economy and derived from a crop that could be grown on site. The levels of clay within the soil below gave sufficient evidence that crops such as wheat were suitable to be grown on Site. The pasta production, milling and drying was all produced on site. With the waste products of the wheat being used in the Rammed Earth exterior.
One of the main points I enjoyed in this project was the drying process of the pasta. I enjoyed learning about the process of drying and it made me think about what other foods can be dried. Foods are often dried to preserve their shelf life. This led me to Honey as it has one of the longest shelf lifes and with Forestry England wanting to re-populate pollinators onto the site I thought it would be a perfect match. This then led me onto the discovery of beekeeping and apiaries. Precedence such as Kengo Kuma helped me to the next phase of my project
Honey Timeline and Health Benefits
Trees on Site
Honey made from tree flowers, often referred to as “tree honey” or “nectar honey,” is produced by honeybees collecting nectar from flowering trees and converting it into honey through a series of enzymatic and dehydration processes.
Tree and Hive Mapping
Tree mapping
As seen on the maps there are a wide variety of plant species. Some produce a surplus of nectar and some only produce sap. However all can be used for pollination as they all flower. The current trees are situated around infrastructure such as the Hole farm Barns. They are also very concentrated along water sources. Serving as a form of protection and inhabitation for other animals in ponds and streams. It is also commonly used as a separation between the main road and a footpath.
Beehive mapping
These are the current beehives that have been registered in essex. Some sell honey and some host beekeepers and their hives.
Within the site of Brentwood and Hole Farm. Barely any beehives have been established compared to other parts of essex. Most beehives are South of Essex along its border and towards the coastal line. This gives a great opportunity for beehives to be established in brentwood as it helps encourage the Bee population.
Manifesto
The Manifesto is encorperated within the packaging of the honey that Honey have will Sell to the visitors. Within the panflet it discusses the flavour profiles of the honey allong with the ethos of Honey Haven.
The manifesto emphasizes the urgent need to save bees, as they are crucial to agriculture and ecosystems. It advocates for environmentally friendly farming methods, focusing on pollinator-friendly areas and minimizing pesticide use. The manifesto also calls for increased awareness about bees’ value and dangers, enabling people and communities to take action. By working together and demonstrating environmental stewardship, we can ensure bees continue to support sustainable food systems and ecosystems.
Nest We Grow, 2015
Nest We Grow is an open public structure that brings the community together, preparing and eating local foods together in the setting of Hokkaido, Japan.
Kengo Kuma’s use of wood and materials inspires me in my technical design. The use of timber joinery throughout his work combining asian and western techniques has always interested me. Kengo Kuma traditionally uses wood as it is a vital part of Japan’s ecosystem.
The plastic corrugated material of the facade of the building allows natural light to come into the space. I would like to incorporate this idea within my design however I want to explore a more sustainable option that is plastic free. New materials such as bamboo fiber are being developed and used which creates the same effect but is eco friendly and carbon neutral.
Japanese Joinery: Composite column
Japanese Joinery: Steel Plates Connected To Crossbracing
Japanese Joinery: Moment Connnection
Goldsmiths CCA
Assemble Architects, Grade II listed building
The AAC is a public art gallery used to host varous events. It consists of multiple levels with varous material types. Staircases intertwine each element of the building together. I’ve been inspired by its use of coridors, mterials and structural methods. It creates an gathering space for students, artists and the wider public. Often holding public exhibitions and events.
Site Visit
Section Drawing, Assemble
Honey Production & Extraction
01. Inspecting the Honey frames
Transporting thhm to extraction location
Removing the honey frames for extraction
Decapping the honey
Scraping the honey off the frame
Place frames in an extraction drum
Spin the frames to extract the honey (Manual Version)
Filter and package the honey
Outlines the main spaces and how they all conect to the wider site
Entrance to the site
Provides:
• Public Footpaths
• Main Roads
• Sets the tone for visitors experience
• Wayfinding
• Information (e.g maps)
• Accessability
Beehives
Provides:
• Honey
• Beeswax
• Pollination
• Hands on experience
• Shealter for local bees and insects
Cooking workshop
Provides:
• Honey tasting sessions (flavour profiles ect...)
• Hands on cooking using honey
• Seasonal cooking
Gallery
Provides:
• Educational exhibits
• Art instilations local artists
• Interactive displays
• bee conservations
• Workshops and demonstartions
• Guest speakers and events
• Retail Space for honey
• Community events
• sensory experience
Archives
Provides:
• Archives of plants and bee specimen
• Interative Experience
• Workshops
Design Development
Series of diagrams to document my design development
I drew multiple arrangements of floorplans deciding my main spaces and their sizes. My main space is the outdoor bee hives and honey production. The educational spaces are the interactive space, gallery, honey tasting area and the cooking workshop. Within the interactive space is a tall glass beehive that forms a chimney all the way to the roof. This is where bees can freely enter. This is so visitors can see the beehives up close. As the outdoor wooden hives cannot be seen by everyone. Within this space are tablets and screens that display live footage of the beehive to keep people of all ages engaged.
My design originated from the tunnels in a beehive. I wanted to take a similar approach and create my spaces as a series of tunnels that link together. The main issue I encountered was how people would move through the space as it started to become complicated. I was also influenced by the sun path diagram, Placing the beehives in an unobstructed area to recieve the most amount of south facing sun. As I developed my project i began encorperating aspecs from Gilles Clements Jardin Du Tiers Paysage to help create a barrier between the bees and the visitors. Aso providing a water source for the bees
Agroforestry & Anthropometric Section
Displays the relationship betweeen the natural environment, humans and bees
Bee hives cannot be situated under any type of tree or plant. This is due to secondary rain (Rain dropping from leaves due to previous rainfall). Otherwise it will disturb the flight path and health of the bees.
the specific trees of the site need to be planted around 20m away from any built infrastructure. This is to avoid any distruption, particularly caused by any roots.
Humans and bees have mutial benifits. Pollination serves as the core of the relationship. bees fetralise plants through pollen. Humans rely on pollination to support agricultural production. Bees produce honey as a food source for their colonies. Humans have cultivated honey for thousands of years using their surplus amounts of honey,
Tree roots play a cruitial role. Serving as an anchor for water and nutrition. Tree roots eventualy spread out to acess water. Deep rooted trees are best suited for drought conditions as they can acess moisture from deeper soil. The majority of the trees absorbing roots are within the first 600mm.
While bees play a huge role to our ecosystem and food production they can pose a risk to stinging humans. Usually when agrivated or when they feel threatened. Due to this we must stay a safe distance away from the hives and wearing protective clothing when handeling them.
Honey Factory, 2015
The Honey Factory developed by Architect Francesco Facin creates “micro architecture” for bees. This wooden hive has a 4.5 meter chimney to keep the bees protected and away from people.
It is currently installed in the garden of the Triennale design museum in Milan and uses traditional beekeeping methods. The structure is designed to protect the bees from all weather conditions and to allow ventilation at all times. Structurally the wooden structure is built around a steel frame and has a parallelogram design that tapers at the roof.
The project aims to promote the idea of urban beekeeping and provide information about the benefits it has to our environment. Similarly In my project I also wanted to promote this same message, however rather than an urban site I aim to repopulate a rural site. Within my design I would like to incorporate the idea of having a structure with a chimney encasing the beehive.
Beehive Design Development
Modeling Experiments of “Bee Architecture” and “Insect architecture” Designs
Roof Thatching
• Straw Thatching
• Helps to regulate temperatures
• Water Run off
Sou-Sugi-Ban
• Weatherproofing
• Increaing Life span
Wooden Japanese Joinery
Insect Architecture
A timber and clay insect home is a sustainable, eco-friendly habitat designed to provide shelter and nesting opportunities for various insect species. Made from natural materials like timber and clay, it offers insulation and protection from the elements. The home’s exterior features textures and surfaces to mimic insects’ natural habitats. Its interior features chambers, tunnels, and crevices to accommodate different insect species’ nesting preferences. Strategic placement in gardens can attract beneficial insects, promote ecosystem balance, and raise awareness about insects’ importance.
Twine
Minimal Screws
Timber
Teracotta/ clay
1:500 Axonometric
Technical Fragment: 3D Representation
100 years:
My construction plan will finally return to its natural state after a century. It may be rebuilt or the land put to use for raising crops or assisting in the repopulation of the local fauna. I therefore made the decision to select materials that will ultimately break down and have little to no impact on the environment.
Thermal Bridge:
Insulation around the secondary structure helps a building achieve its external and interior heights by regulating temperature, reducing winter heat loss and increasing summer heat intake. This reduces energy costs and minimizes environmental impact. Dryer wood, a poor heat conductor, improves insulation, making it crucial to maintain the secondary structure’s insulation. Therefore, reducing energy use for heating and cooling can reduce environmental impact (iPHA, 2020)
Use of timber stilts rather than Steel:
Hardwood is a sustainable resource that can be collected ethically, however making steel uses a lot of energy and often involves procedures that harm the environment. Utilising wood encourages sustainable building techniques and lowers the structure’s carbon impact. However the timber still requires a steel case around the column to prevent it from weathering/ rotting.
Hempcrete:
Hempcrete, a product of combining hemp hurds with lime and water, is an eco-friendly insulation material due to its rapid renewable nature. Its high thermal insulation properties help control temperature and reduce energy use for heating and cooling. Its high thermal inertia allows it to maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Additionally, its lightweight nature makes installation quick and effective. Overall, hempcrete is a sustainable and efficient insulation choice (Hempitecture 2023)
Treating the Exteror Cladding:
Yakisugi, or Shou Sugi Ban, is a traditional Japanese wood finishing method that involves charring the wood’s surface to produce a strong, weather-resistant material. Using carefully controlled flames, the wood is first gently charred, creating a coating of carbon that serves as a natural preservative, shielding the wood from rot, moisture, and insects. The charred wood displays rich, deep colours and detailed patterns after cooling and cleaning. Because this method requires no chemical sealants and requires little maintenance, I have decided to use it to treat the cladding (TerraMai, 2024)
Counter batterns Batterns 14*14mm
Plasterboard
Hempcreate Insulation
Wood Fibre Insulated Sheathing 35mm
Timber Fixing Batterns 19*18mm top edge at a 20 degree angle for water run off in ventalated cavity
Ventilated Cavity 35mm (For Ventalation and drainage)
Timber cladding 12mm
Timber Cladding
Double Glazed Windows
Technical Fragment: 2D Representation
This portion of my building has a raised platform above the ground due to the structure’s elevation on stilts. An accessible balcony path which is supported by beams and isn cantilevered from the main building. In addition to providing structural support, this elevated path gives visitors a special vantage point from which to see and enjoy the surrounding area.
