Coed Gwern Bird Hide

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, 2011

 

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View from the East 

Catherine Watton     Download Original

  • View from the East    
  • Large overhanging structure    
  • First view from public footpath    
  • Corner detail during construction    
  • Permeable structure    
  • The Bird Hide at night    
  • The Bird Hide at Night from the footpath    
  • Dappled sunlight on the facade    
  • Entrance    
  • Corner seating    
  • Integrated seating    
  • View from the road    
  • Location plan    
  • Site plan and context    
  • Site plan    
  • Site section    
  • Elevations    
  • Base construction diagram    
  •     
  • Construction detail    

Temporary timber structure for educational use and bird watching

The students on the Professional Diploma course at the Centre for Alternative Technology designed this temporary timber structure as a summer bird hide in the Coed Gwern woodland.

The walls, roof and seating are integrated into one structure that is visually permeable and provides sufficient shelter without feeling separated from the environment. The demounted structure was constructed over five days from Welsh organically grown untreated timber that was sawn and processed within 500 metres of the site.

The lengths of timber were designed to achieve minimal waste of sawn pieces and the off-cuts were used to form spacers in between the timber. No mains electricity was consumed; battery and hand tools were used.

Data

  • Begun: Aug 2011
  • Completed: Aug 2011
  • Floor area: 6m2
  • Sectors: Education, Sports and leisure
  • Total cost: £1,500
  • Funding: Centre for Alternative Technology
  • Address: Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, SY20 9AZ, United Kingdom

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