Chicken Coop
Basic information
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Full project title
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Project Description
The functions of the coop made in organisation for people with intellectual disabilities are based on an established knowledge. Frame constructed in golden section is carrying a henhouse - a cube. Ceiling perforations form our galaxy, as many ancient religions believed the universe was created from an egg. As the chickens graze, they can look at a golden egg, with a quote in ancient greek “God always uses geometry”. Hopefully one day a hen will be inspired to start laying golden eggs on her own.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
The project was selected from an open call for participation at Milano Design Week 2020 with a theme »How will we live in the future« by Centre for creativity (Museum of architecture and design Ljubljana, Slovenia) and European regional development fund, which provided funds for making the final product.
Description of the project
Summary
Today, a truly sustainable culture may be the only future that can inspire us with optimism. Technology is making it increasingly possible to work independently of location. Self-sufficient and eco-friendly food production is becoming inevitable, just like the idea of a culture that nurtures a direct and responsible relationship with the environment and animals.
The functions of the chicken coop are based on an established knowledge - chickens need pasture, a safe highground place to sleep and nests for laying eggs. Wooden frame constructed in golden section, is carrying a perfect cube with a side of one meter. Inside the henhouse there is a roosting bar and nests, where they lay eggs. For the owner, the nests are accessible from the back of the coop. A water container is also hidden inside the cube. The perforations on the henhouse ceiling serve as ventilation and form a map of our Milky way galaxy, as many ancient religions believed the universe was created from an egg. It is also a reference to traditional Slovenian perforated Easter eggs. As the chickens graze, they can look at a gold plated bronze egg, with a quote in ancient greek “God always uses geometry”. Hopefully one day a hen will be inspired to start laying golden eggs on her own.
The chicken coop, which is currently on display at the Museum of Architecture and Design in Ljubljana, has been selected from an open call for participation at Milano Design Week 2020 with a theme »How will we live in the future«. It represented an optimistic perspective on our future with discovery of the beauty of living with nature – a chance to rethink our relationship with animals and quality of our food. In addition, the coop is also part of a “Young architects of Europe” exhibition in Venice Biennale of architecture.
Prototype and final product were made in a workshop of an Organisation for people with intellectual disabilities.
Key objectives for sustainability
Discovering the beauty of living together with nature, that was so obvious and self-evident to generations before us is the only way towards a more sustainable future. Self-sufficient and eco-friendly food production is becoming both increasingly compelling and inevitable, just like the idea of a culture that nurtures a direct relationship with the environment and with animals.
The functions of the chicken coop are based on an established wealth of knowledge and transformed in to a modern and sustainable product with new ideas, contemporary solutions and a sense of humor.
Such implementation of philosophy is not only applicable to country life, but urban environments also, where communities can experience the pastoralism of country life by sharing a henhouse on public spaces or even rooftops.
Such implementation can also serve as learning through exposure to nature and nature-based activities for children.
Henhouse is made of local wood in a small woodworking shop. The product is not meant to be made just in one specific workshop, but rather -thanks to its simple design- in any wood workshop in the world with available means.
And last but not least: Eggs just taste better when they come from a chicken that you have a personal relationship with.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The design incorporates different alegories about eggs with intention of educating as well as providing some humor in a daily routine.
The perforations on the henhouse ceiling serve as ventilation and form a map of our Milky way galaxy, as many ancient religions believed the universe was created from an egg. It is also a reference to traditional Slovenian perforated Easter eggs. As the chickens graze, they can look at a gold plated bronze egg, with a quote in ancient greek “God always uses geometry”. Hopefully one day a hen will be inspired to start laying golden eggs on her own.
Key objectives for inclusion
Prototype and final product were made in a workshop of an Organisation for people with intellectual disabilities, enabeling knawldge sharing between skilled carpenters and intellectually disabled proteges to use their capacities to the fullest.
Henhouse is not a typical product, made with a sole purpose of selling as much units as possible with minimal costs for maximum profit. Therefore the product is not ment to be made just in one specific workshop, but rather -thanks to its simple design- in any wood workshop in the world with available means. At least three skilled people and basic woodworking tools are needed.
Results in relation to category
Henhouse which is currently on display at the Museum of Architecture and Design in Ljubljana, has been selected from an open call for participation at Milano Design Week 2021 with a theme »How will we live in the future«.
In addition, the coop is also presented in a “Young architects of europe” exhibition in Venice Biennale of architecture.
Hopefuly, exposure will help sharing the idea of living together with nature, better food quality and inclusion of all people, regardless of their abilities, disabilities or health care needs and inspire the conversations about optimistic perspective on our future.
How Citizens benefit
Prototype and final product were made in a workshop of an Organisation for people with intellectual disabilities, enabeling knawldge sharing between skilled carpenters and intellectually disabled proteges to use their capacities to the fullest.
Henhouse which is currently on display at the Museum of Architecture and Design in Ljubljana, has been selected from an open call for participation at Milano Design Week 2021 with a theme »How will we live in the future«.
In addition, the coop is also presented in a “Young architects of Europe” exhibition in Venice Biennale of architecture.
Hopefuly, exposure will help sharing the idea of living together with nature, better food quality and inclusion of all people, regardless of their abilities, disabilities or health care needs and inspire conversations about optimistic perspective on our future.
Innovative character
Henhouse is taking a “back to nature” approach of low-tech designing which emphasises closeness to nature based on established knowledge with understanding the needs of the user or audience - such implementation of philosophy is not only applicable to country life, but urban environments also, where communities can experience the pastoralism of country life by sharing a henhouse on public spaces or even rooftops. Such implementation can also serve as learning through exposure to nature and nature-based activities for children.
