project 1

Avian

sanctuary

3/14 ~ 4/25 , 2025
- Product Design
- Form Exploration
- Materials & Process Research
Ply Wood

Intro to project

Urban expansion is pushing birds out of their natural habitats.

Avian Sanctuary explores how human-built structures can become safe resting and nesting spaces for birds.

The project balances function, form, and material to support both ecological and human needs.

Reference Images: Pinterest

Target Species Research

Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are small, highly agile birds native to regions across North and South America. Their compact size and ability to maneuver in tight spaces make them an ideal target species for this project.

- Small body size → Supports compact entry and shelter structures
- Fast, agile flight → Needs unobstructed approach paths
- Lightweight natural nests → Suggests soft, low-impact interior materials
- Migratory nature → Benefits from easy-to-install or modular shelter designs

feeding image

- Prefer quiet areas near trees and shrubs
- Build lightweight cup-shaped nests using moss, plant fibers, and spider silk
- Feed primarily on flower nectar
- High metabolism requires frequent energy intake
- Capable of hovering and rapid directional changes
- Often bathe near small fountains or water droplets
- Seasonal movement between North and Central/South America
- Require brief but stable resting spots during migration

Inspiration by…

Geometric structure

Exploring simple geometric forms and thin-material structures to inspire clean, functional shapes.

EXISTING PRODUCT

Reviewing existing birdhouses to understand practical construction, accessibility, and user-friendly forms.

FORM ExPLORATION

Rough sketching allowed me to define the foundational structure. The initial sketches were created intuitively, using lines and geometric shapes to capture the early form concepts.

Modelmaking

I translated my sketches into cardboard models to explore geometric structures in three dimensions. This hands-on process allowed me to study which forms could be both visually geometric and suitable for the nesting habits of hummingbirds.

rendering

FIRST RENDER

Increased the overall height to test better proportions

Added a bottom support bar connecting the two vertical panels
Focused on securing initial structural stability
Resulted in a heavier and less minimal visual form

SECOND RENDER

Removed the bottom support bar for a cleaner silhouette
Adjusted the structure so the two vertical panels provide full support
Refined the balance between the upper shelter and the base
Achieved a more minimal and geometric overall form

FABRICATION PLANNING

- Basswood / thin plywood for the main structure
- Screws & L-brackets for securing the panels
- Paper templates & rulers for manual measurement and marking
- Sandpaper (various grits) for surface finishing
- Band saw for cutting curved and irregular shapes
- Table saw for clean, straight cuts
- Screwdriver for fastening the panels
- Sanding machine for refining edges and surfaces
- Hand tools for minor adjustments
- All dimensions were measured manually to match the final render proportions
- Each wooden panel was individually cut using the band saw and table saw
- Surfaces and edges were refined using the sanding machine
- Panels were assembled using L-shaped brackets and screws, ensuring strong mechanical stability
- The two vertical panels were aligned carefully to maintain balance and recreate the minimal geometric silhouette
- Achieve a clean exterior with no visible hardware
- Ensure strong stability through hidden mechanical connections
- Maintain the minimal geometric form explored in the digital model
- Reproduce accurate proportions through manual measurement and cutting

Parts Cutting & Preparation

To keep the final proportions accurate, each component was measured, marked, and manually cut. The workflow followed three key steps: dimension planning, marking, and cutting.

All required measurements were drafted onto paper based on the render.
The cutting lines and reference points were hand-drawn directly onto the wooden panels.
The marked shapes were precisely cut using a table saw, ensuring clean and accurate edges.

Pre-Assembly / Parts Layout

Checked the structural balance and accurately marked the connection points.

Fabrication Steps

Before any finishing, all panels were sanded to smooth the surfaces and edges.
Both machine sanding and hand sanding were used to refine the texture and prepare the wood for an even color application.

Coloring & stain

A base color was applied after sanding, followed by an additional coat after assembling the upper section to maintain a consistent tone.

Once the color layer had dried, the panels were assembled using screws and hidden L-brackets.
The two vertical panels served as the main structural axis, so alignment and balance were carefully adjusted during assembly.