Comments on: Brick Habitats: Bricks with Built-In Gardens and Minihomes for Animals

By: Molly

Molly — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:59:26 +0000

I think this is a clever idea, and providing ways to incorporate animal and plant habitats into the built environment is outstanding, but you probably need to do a little more materials research for this to really be effective. The use of brick to hold water on a wall seems like a recipe for spalling, cracking, mortar deterioration, and efflorescence. Water intrusion into the home shouldn’t be much of a problem with proper waterproofing, but you would be retaining water that would normally just hit the outer surface and move on down, with little opportunity for capillary action. Holding the water in place on the surface of the brick nearly guarantees that it will be absorbed, then evaporate or freeze.

By: Terri

Terri — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:33:09 +0000

Would love t put these to use here in Ohio, freezing is always a concern, but there are ways around that.. ould have to be sure to put them high enough that the cats can’t reach them or use them as stair steps to get a bird!! OOPS!

By: emeraldforestarchitecture

emeraldforestarchitecture — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:24:48 +0000

let’s figure out how to exclude starlings and include bats. starlings are invading the burbs now, over-riding the bluebirds and other cavity nesting songbirds even in oregon. and bats are having an epidemic in the caves. need millions of starling proof bathouses immediately, and a starling trapdoor house to dispose of these, please.

By: Megan

Megan — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:56:53 +0000

I love this!! We have a brick colonial built in the 1940s, which I love, but which is a bit boring on the outside. Our yard is organic with native plantings and plenty of food and shelter for the critters, but I see this as a way to do so much more. I hope you find a manufacturer soon!! I’ll keep my eyes open for this.

Institutional places (like universities) might also be interested…

By: chooi-leng

chooi-leng — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:23:45 +0000

Justin, i would like to put this into production but i haven’t found a manufacturer yet. i don’t intend for this to be priced at a premium. it should be very affordable to everyone.

Dan, a rainscreen wall is an idea. i think that if a brick wall is properly built, there shouldn’t be water getting through though. it might be damp, but as long as this doesn’t spread to the inner cavity wall, it should be fine.

Patron Zero, papercrete and fibercrete could be really good alternatives, or any eco-friendly materials that don’t require firing too.

thanks for all the suggestions!

By: M. Davies

M. Davies — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:44:03 +0000

This is great! I wondered about the side effects that constant moisture would have on the brick’s strength, but I love the idea of reaching out my apartment window and grabbing some fresh basil! The more food we can get growing in the city the better, obviously space is an issue, so vertical growing seems the best bet. A company called Valcent has a pilot project growing now at a UK zoo. It’s a way to get abundant local and fresh food growing in cities. To read more about vertical growing, check out the blog http://blog.valcent.net/?p=587

By: Patron Zero

Patron Zero — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:49:15 +0000

Such a very simple yet original idea, ‘perhaps such detailing’ could be added to existing surfaces by way of prefab concrete (papercrete, fibercrete, etc) cast modular units.

By: dan cortland

dan cortland — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:32:58 +0000

Nice concept. I’ve seen similar planters. Is there a surface that won’t collect soil and bird-dropping stains? Couldn’t you avoid potential water intrusion by putting these on the outer surface of a rainscreen wall?

By: justin

justin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:25:43 +0000

I love this idea. Keep me updated. When will this be available to buy and how expensive is it?

By: HERB

HERB — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:29:36 +0000

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, SUPER. BETTER THAN SUPER

CONGRATULAIONS FOR A BRIGHT IDEA

HERB