“Insects, worms, and other small animals that carry out vital functions for life on earth have declined by 45 percent average over 35 years, threatening human, water quality and food supplies…”
– Steve Connor, “Vital invertebrates decline 45 percent, study finds,” independent.co.uk, July 2014
P R O P O S A L
Due to the steady decline of all insects, it is important to provide endangered insects with correct and comfortable accommodations. The Insect RV will provide seven different spaces for small invertebrates to inhabit. While the RV will not literally be “on the road,” the design provides multiple, cozy compartments for the insects to live and will be stationary a few feet above the ground. The “awning” on the roof will provide necessary shelter.
P R O C E S S
The “initial sketch” explores my very first idea for the insect hotel. I was thinking more in terms of symmetry rather than an actual shape of an R.V. As I did more research on the insects and the general shape I was going for, I came closer to my final idea. I decided to focus the structure on different spaces for different size insects, instead of creating something entirely for bees, which is why the first sketch has “holes.” I utilized sketching for ideas, measuring, and references.
Creating a cardboard or paper model of your project is a great preliminary step to a 3-D project that helps to understand some potential challenges in your design. During the process of this project I learned how to use a variation of wood-making tools, measure and cut angles, bind wood, and much more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I think this was a fantastic way to further explore 3-D concepts. Not only did I learn how to build with wood, but I learned what insect hotels were. I had never heard the term before this project, and many of my classmates and people I talked to about the decline in insect population did not know either. Its an inexpensive way to benefit the environment and bug population, and almost everyone, even kids could explore creating these insect hotels.
To me, there were two important objectives to this project. The first, and far most important, was to provide an accurate and safe space for the insects to call home. The purpose was to contribute to the environment and ecosystem by participating in a communal project in which the goal is simply to increase insect population. It is my personal goal to see my R.V. full of creatures when I visit. I believe I filled the environment with the best materials to provide a livable shelter. Everything I used to fill the R.V. were recommended by people who have created successful insect hotels.
The second objective was to have a thorough introduction to wood-making and have a well-rounded knowledge of tools in the wood shop, and how to make something out of wood. I do believe that having the ability to make something functional for myself out of wood (and other materials), makes me a better human.