Maintenance
To facilitate to the school members the knowledge about what materials we use inside the compartments and which insects are related, I have written a little text explaining it, also there are some tips on how to take care and restore the deteriorated materials.
This way they can do the hotel maintenance by them own.
This text will be given to schools when they buy one of the hotels.
If you want to read this small text click (here).
This way they can do the hotel maintenance by them own.
This text will be given to schools when they buy one of the hotels.
If you want to read this small text click (here).
The Structure
Depends on the wood we use we must protect it to endure longer, for example Linseed oil can fight the weather threats.
I think the frame and spacers are of a better durable material and will take longer time to biodegrade that some of the interior materials such as cardboard, straw, wood chips ... but if the structure still firmly holds, the other materials can be replaced along the time.
One of my next jobs is to gather information and give to the school, with which materials are most appropriate for each insect and once these are damaged, the same school can replace them with good understanding. Thus the Bug Hotel can last till all materials and the frame are unusable.
The guests and their needs
For bugs to feel more comfortable it's not only important to create enough room, if nearby the hotel food and elements are planted to facilitate their stay it will be easier to attract them and live with us.
There are many plants and flowers that we can plant nearby, and it is important to pay attention and observe and interact depending on the type of bugs that we want to attract, to grow and provide the type of food they need, as daisies, petunias, sunflowers, coriander, lavender, dill and fennel are great for attracting beneficial insects in our orchard and garden. Depending on your country are many local aromatic plants and flowers that you can grow through all the year to make sure that your little friends want to be always around. |
This way we multifunctionally will have good and healthy plants to set an example for the students of a big variety of senses as smells, colors and textures. Other bugs are carnivores and will catch the energy from eating the parasites that can harm our plants and soil, and with the hotel they will have a place to store this precious renewable resource for them.
Besides food bugs have more needs. In the diagram at the left we can see some of these Inputs that some of our bugs need, and how some of them are related.
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Evaluation & Tweaks
Until summer I'll not know how effective this bug hotel design is, in terms of bugs colonization, I really can't wait to see the feedback.
I made a bug hotel prototype in a small scale and simple, and I located it on my garden to see as fast as possible results. At the moment I can do a small evaluation of the product and add some tweaks I think can make the design improve. |
SWOC
Strengths
According to my evaluation the framework is one of the most solid components throughout the design, the pieces fit nicely being a strong and secure structure for the students.
I thought a lot about what kind of wood to use to make the frame more durable, at the beginning I though I could use tanalized wood if it has no holes or dwellings to house guests. But this type of wood is treated with different toxic chemicals that could be harmful to the bugs heath, but if this is only at the outside (the frame) it might not affect the bugs inside, and can give extra strength to the structure that could prevail over more years.
My thoughts are that tanalized wood comes from a damaging nasty industry for the planet and it's not thinking much in the earth care, and I do not know until which point it can harm the bugs or health of the students of the school, although for its longevity is the type of wood used to build most of the exterior school playgrounds.
English woods are the only option I want to consider, tropical rain-forest timber have a supreme quality and yes it will last for many years outdoors but I think it really shouldn't be cut down to make our bug hotels. These have to be import from far away so it have terrible impact for the planet and a high economic cost.
So English woods Oak or Sweet chestnut are the best option, but I must cut all the sapwood off as it rots in 4 or 5 years, and Cedar and larch are also good bud semi durable.
I thought a lot about what kind of wood to use to make the frame more durable, at the beginning I though I could use tanalized wood if it has no holes or dwellings to house guests. But this type of wood is treated with different toxic chemicals that could be harmful to the bugs heath, but if this is only at the outside (the frame) it might not affect the bugs inside, and can give extra strength to the structure that could prevail over more years.
My thoughts are that tanalized wood comes from a damaging nasty industry for the planet and it's not thinking much in the earth care, and I do not know until which point it can harm the bugs or health of the students of the school, although for its longevity is the type of wood used to build most of the exterior school playgrounds.
English woods are the only option I want to consider, tropical rain-forest timber have a supreme quality and yes it will last for many years outdoors but I think it really shouldn't be cut down to make our bug hotels. These have to be import from far away so it have terrible impact for the planet and a high economic cost.
So English woods Oak or Sweet chestnut are the best option, but I must cut all the sapwood off as it rots in 4 or 5 years, and Cedar and larch are also good bud semi durable.
Weaknesses
The interior part where all the elements come together is the most weak and fragile to lose its shape. The first hotel I've done the pieces were introduced following an incremental design, so has been set compartments and materials to create environments simultaneously.
When transporting and handling the hotel some elements may fall out, and although all are under pressure also may be that in the future as it begins to biodegrade these will lose strength and collapse some of the parts.
So I'm thinking that the next hotel that I make first I'm going to follow a pattern by making the frame and set the spacers fixing this by nailing them all together plus to the frame, leaving a strong base which I can implement the details by filling the inside with the elements that create habitat for guests, thus although materials deteriorate over time the hotel will still retain the original shape of the compartments.
Now I have to find some nontoxic material that sets between the elements inside the compartments, so the entire assembly may be handled safely and we will have a product that lasts longer and is safe for schools.
When transporting and handling the hotel some elements may fall out, and although all are under pressure also may be that in the future as it begins to biodegrade these will lose strength and collapse some of the parts.
So I'm thinking that the next hotel that I make first I'm going to follow a pattern by making the frame and set the spacers fixing this by nailing them all together plus to the frame, leaving a strong base which I can implement the details by filling the inside with the elements that create habitat for guests, thus although materials deteriorate over time the hotel will still retain the original shape of the compartments.
Now I have to find some nontoxic material that sets between the elements inside the compartments, so the entire assembly may be handled safely and we will have a product that lasts longer and is safe for schools.
Oportunities
Working regularly with schools interested in more environmentally friendly playgrounds gives me the opportunity to see many other bug hotel designs that they have, and where the school had thought it was the best place for its location.
Also as I said before the wood left over from other products we make and the tools that we had to make them, has been a great opportunity to create this design with very low cost added.
Also as I said before the wood left over from other products we make and the tools that we had to make them, has been a great opportunity to create this design with very low cost added.
Constraints
It has been quite a challenge to find some materials to fill into the compartments, find branches and trunks on a minimally optimal condition is the think that takes me longer time, since many forest areas around my house are protected and busy of people, I do not feel comfortable cutting logs that I would use and I had to spend hours trying to find some pieces in the right places.
I guess with along the time I will I be storing more materials to have a stock to use regularly.
I guess with along the time I will I be storing more materials to have a stock to use regularly.
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Goals Evaluation
I think that my next steps have been met.
Those were:
Next steeps
I think is well made, safe, strong and is child proof, also by doing different sizes we can play to adjust the product to the school budget.
The product was not successful in the market, so my long term goals hasn't been accomplished.
Because I haven't made a good survey about the client needs, my design hasn't had an appropriate marketing plan and was not well designed. This has been one of the main reason why the bug hotel has not been successful in the market.
Also because I have left UK and Organic playgrounds, I couldn't see the bug hotel effectiveness, and how it could suit better in the market and the schools needs.
The hotel I did on a small scale to test, was removed when we all have moved house and has not been put back, so organic playgrounds also couldn't inform me how these have worked.
So as our hotels have not reached the schools, I have not been able to meet my long-term goals, and in my case as I am no longer in the country I will not be able to observe its success in the country where this project has been designed.
Those are:
Long term Goals
In order for the schools to have more knowledge about the insects we can attract and how they can benefit us, I have written a text with the intention to give it along with the purchase of one of our hotels.
You can read this text at the Bug Hotel materials page or doing click (here).
I think that my next steps have been met.
Those were:
Next steeps
- To expand my knowledge about the benefits of bug hotels in our life (Accomplished)
- To design a new product that suits in our business (Accomplished)
I think is well made, safe, strong and is child proof, also by doing different sizes we can play to adjust the product to the school budget.
The product was not successful in the market, so my long term goals hasn't been accomplished.
Because I haven't made a good survey about the client needs, my design hasn't had an appropriate marketing plan and was not well designed. This has been one of the main reason why the bug hotel has not been successful in the market.
Also because I have left UK and Organic playgrounds, I couldn't see the bug hotel effectiveness, and how it could suit better in the market and the schools needs.
The hotel I did on a small scale to test, was removed when we all have moved house and has not been put back, so organic playgrounds also couldn't inform me how these have worked.
So as our hotels have not reached the schools, I have not been able to meet my long-term goals, and in my case as I am no longer in the country I will not be able to observe its success in the country where this project has been designed.
Those are:
Long term Goals
- To help schools to have better understanding of the importance of bugs (Not accomplished)
In order for the schools to have more knowledge about the insects we can attract and how they can benefit us, I have written a text with the intention to give it along with the purchase of one of our hotels.
You can read this text at the Bug Hotel materials page or doing click (here).
- To help schools to be more environmentally friendly (Not accomplished)
- To help increase the bees population (Not accomplished)
Tweaks
Improving towards organic
Finally we found a local wood supplier, In this aspect we have improved the quality of our materials and finished product.
Because it's one of the strongest material to work in outdoors, we chose to work with English oak, also this way transportation costs are reduced. It is very rewarding to unplug a bit more from the big corporations such as B&Q. Using products that fit with my ethics and principles makes me gain confidence with the product, and I feel more proud to offer it to customers. One of the reasons I chose to make a framed bug hotel, was to take poles cuts that were waste from another product we were doing (the weaving looms). |
But we can now order them to cut us the wood into pieces as we want, so now we do not have that "waste". Anyway we liked the idea and we will do more hotels.
To help the wood to withstand the British weather adversities, we treat the wood with teak or linseed oil.
To help the wood to withstand the British weather adversities, we treat the wood with teak or linseed oil.
My second bug hotel
This time I followed up with the same idea but I have made some changes.
Now all the wood we use is oak from a small company, our new local supplier from our own city. This model is not placed on the wall, but is fixed to the ground burying the legs at two feet deep. Also this frame is set with pieces that are joined with each other and we reinforced with nuts to have more strength. I've also written the name at the top timber so that people know what is. |
Reflections
Personal Reflections
It has been very satisfying to know more about the insect world and the importance that they have on our lives and the ecosystems.
With this project I remembered my passion for carpentry (as an amateur), I enjoyed and learned a lot on how the timber must be embedded and treated. This has gave me knowledge to help better understand how to build more complex structures as a tool shed, or furniture.
It is a little bit frustrating that I couldn't see how effective are, because I have left UK and organic playgrounds, I couldn't keep on eye on it and couldn't try better ways to arrive to sell it.
Project Reflections
For this work there has been much research, looking at dozens of related web pages on how to build different types, and insect diets, etc.
When I have started doing this project I have used SADIM design process, but later I have realised that OBREDIMET process was more appropriate to do a a product design, because gave importance to the section of ET (evaluations and Tweaks), to have a better product after tweaks and tweaks.
The connection between the elements and zone analysis has helped me a lot to reflect on the surroundings favouring the hotel and the elements around. Thus holistically I understand better how to integrate the hotel in the space.
SWOC has been very useful for the evaluation, I think this tool is a favourite of mine to improve product designs. When it's a specific physical design as is a product, with SWOC I can improve the final product incorporating these tweaks when I do the next one, and increasingly growing as professional and having more confidence in my work.
For this project I have chosen to introduce the permaculture principles throughout all the process, so it is not seems as something apart but as a way of thinking when it comes to work and analyse.
Professional Reflections
I think that still I have to perfect the hotel finishes to have a better professional result. As I am not a carpenter lately I'm stuck in carpentry books and magazines, joints and other learning techniques that can improve the quality and safety of the final product.
Now I've done four of these hotels increasingly I have better finishes and more resistance to keep it in shape for longer.
Because it has been my first product project I have not taken into account one very important thing, which is to have done a survey to all the people involved, above all to have paid more attention to the the students and teachers needs, and thus to have a better detailed information to create an adequate design. I have had to created a really clear marketing strategy with evidence that schools were willing to pay this much money for our product.
In my next product designs I will observe deeper this topic better, thinking a most accurate design based on the client's needs and also how I can approach better to them to them be able to understand the importance of the product. This will also be crucial to make a better evaluation and see where I have to make my Tweaks.
I think I still have to improve a bit and create a more unique style.
Time Reflections
The total time it took me to finish the hotel was two months and a half approx. Most of this time I have spent hours looking for materials as I was getting more information along the survey, and in three days I have assembled all the elements to give its final shape.
Because my latest works have been so long and complex I wanted this to be simpler, giving an example of a project easy to do, to read and to digest, trying to put only important information and meeting the diploma criteria.
Personal Reflections
It has been very satisfying to know more about the insect world and the importance that they have on our lives and the ecosystems.
With this project I remembered my passion for carpentry (as an amateur), I enjoyed and learned a lot on how the timber must be embedded and treated. This has gave me knowledge to help better understand how to build more complex structures as a tool shed, or furniture.
It is a little bit frustrating that I couldn't see how effective are, because I have left UK and organic playgrounds, I couldn't keep on eye on it and couldn't try better ways to arrive to sell it.
Project Reflections
For this work there has been much research, looking at dozens of related web pages on how to build different types, and insect diets, etc.
When I have started doing this project I have used SADIM design process, but later I have realised that OBREDIMET process was more appropriate to do a a product design, because gave importance to the section of ET (evaluations and Tweaks), to have a better product after tweaks and tweaks.
The connection between the elements and zone analysis has helped me a lot to reflect on the surroundings favouring the hotel and the elements around. Thus holistically I understand better how to integrate the hotel in the space.
SWOC has been very useful for the evaluation, I think this tool is a favourite of mine to improve product designs. When it's a specific physical design as is a product, with SWOC I can improve the final product incorporating these tweaks when I do the next one, and increasingly growing as professional and having more confidence in my work.
For this project I have chosen to introduce the permaculture principles throughout all the process, so it is not seems as something apart but as a way of thinking when it comes to work and analyse.
Professional Reflections
I think that still I have to perfect the hotel finishes to have a better professional result. As I am not a carpenter lately I'm stuck in carpentry books and magazines, joints and other learning techniques that can improve the quality and safety of the final product.
Now I've done four of these hotels increasingly I have better finishes and more resistance to keep it in shape for longer.
Because it has been my first product project I have not taken into account one very important thing, which is to have done a survey to all the people involved, above all to have paid more attention to the the students and teachers needs, and thus to have a better detailed information to create an adequate design. I have had to created a really clear marketing strategy with evidence that schools were willing to pay this much money for our product.
In my next product designs I will observe deeper this topic better, thinking a most accurate design based on the client's needs and also how I can approach better to them to them be able to understand the importance of the product. This will also be crucial to make a better evaluation and see where I have to make my Tweaks.
I think I still have to improve a bit and create a more unique style.
Time Reflections
The total time it took me to finish the hotel was two months and a half approx. Most of this time I have spent hours looking for materials as I was getting more information along the survey, and in three days I have assembled all the elements to give its final shape.
Because my latest works have been so long and complex I wanted this to be simpler, giving an example of a project easy to do, to read and to digest, trying to put only important information and meeting the diploma criteria.
Project 9 Resources
Software
VUE
Weebly
Windows 8
Google translate
Camera
Android Samsung s3
Software
VUE
Weebly
Windows 8
Google translate
Camera
Android Samsung s3