multi-purpose bricks with tiny holes present shelter for solitary bees

ByAbd Rabbah 25 January، 2022

tiny holes in bricks give shelter to solitary bees

cornwall-based design studio green&blue introduces their latest innovation — an architectural brick with multiple holes that offer mini homes for solitary bees. dubbed ‘bee brick’, the creation features openings of various sizes, generating a cozy nesting site for the fuzzy insects, while adding a pleasant touch to any exterior wall or garden.

it seems like these multi-purpose bricks are approved by the cities of brighton and hove, where a recent planning law calls for all new buildings above five meters to include bee bricks, as well as bird nesting boxes suitable for swifts. and although many swift bricks are already incorporated into many developments, it seems like the inclusion of bee bricks is still a relatively new idea.

all images courtesy of green&blue

using bricks to save the bees

the bee bricks by green&blue (find more here) are the same size as regular bricks but integrate a series of narrow openings like the ones where solitary bees usually nest. made of reclaimed concrete, the brick is solid at the back and has moulded cavities of various sizes, where the bees can lay their eggs, sealing the entrance with mud or chewed-up vegetation. the brick provides a stylish nesting site for non-swarming bees, like the red mason or leafcutter bees, and makes for a real design statement in any bee-friendly garden, or building.

the main aim of this bricks is to help save the bees, whose population is declining due to disease, habitat loss, and climate change. solitary bees pollinate about 1/3 of the food we eat and are a vital part of our ecosystem.

the bee brick can be used in urban spaces and places where there may not be alternative nesting sites for bees, either built into a wall or building or simply stood alone in a garden or allotment. solitary bees are harmless and will not sting you unless you handle them roughly, even then their stings are not painful, meaning they are safe to encourage around pets and children.