MAACQ Oase: Birdbead

Addressing nitrogen acidification through Birdbead: A solution within the MAACQ Oase project.

Industrial nitrogen usage has made Dutch soil acidic, reducing its natural balance of minerals, particularly calcium. This poses a threat to the biodiversity of vegetation, soil, and various wildlife species. With the MAACQ Oase project, Fillip Studios and Omlab are working to develop a product which can nurture our fragile soil back to health. The project is centred around the material used to print Birdbead called ‘Itbettermatter’, a biobased circular material composed of calcite reclaimed in drinking water decalcification and elements like cellulose collected in sewage treatment. This material is as strong as cellular concrete, and weathers slowly when exposed to water. When this happens, calcium is released into the soil around Birdbead. This technique is more effective at sustaining biodiversity than helicopter-based dissemination techniques used in Dutch nature reserves. By combining 3D printing and parametric design, the two companies strive to counteract nitrogen acidification, with solutions tailored to the local soil and species. At the same time, MAACQ Oase products should start conversations about the nitrogen issue and the things we design for it.

Bridging the gap between climate futures and technological possibilities.

Developing a product that is safe to implement in nature requires extensive knowledge about the natural processes. Therefore, Birdbead is made to enable research into the interactions between nature and future MAACQ Oase products. Birdbead addresses the acidification issue by bringing together the key elements of the ecological processes: water, minerals, and biodiversity. Birdbead positions itself between the envisioned climate future of Fillip Studios and Omlab and the current technological possibilities. The limitation of the 3D printing technology to produce a single product at a time allows for variation and exploration. In this way, Birdbead demonstrates how small-scale development facilitates new innovations in the cultural and creative sectors.

Taking a new approach: The innovative design process behind the unique shape of Birdbead.

Birdbead is designed as part of the design research into interactions between 3D printed sculptures and weather, wind, plants, and animals. Simultaneously, Birdbead also researches novel approaches to algorithm-based 3D modelling and printing. The objective was to design a pole-mounted nest box which could be printed in one continuous thick line. The shaping of Birdbead was inspired by turkey tail mushrooms because, like fungi, MAACQ Oase will enrich soil biodiversity in nature. The tubes and the inner structure are designed to guide rainwater away from the birds so that, despite eroding when exposed to water, Birdbead remains functional as a nest box for as long as possible. During the erosion process, the layers of Birdbead fall away to reveal new textures and shapes to make the sculpture dynamic. In the algorithm used to design Birdbead, key measurements of the model can be adapted and tweaked to target the needs of a nesting animal; some birds prefer a specific nest box volume or shaped entrances. The prototype nest is configured to suit the needs of the ‘great tit’, which has been heavily afflicted by acidification.