Design | Klaas Kuiken’s Tile Birdhouse

Dutch designer Klaas Kuiken is concerned that birds aren’t typically welcome to build their nests under roof tiles these days. “…They lost a beautiful place to make nests,” he states, noting that bird populations are shrinking within urban areas.

But Kuiken is trying to meet the birds halfway. In 2009 he designed Birdhouse in collaboration with the Vogelbescherming (the Dutch Bird Association). The base of the terracotta house fits the contour of a roof tile. Within the house is a specially designed wood frame basket that provides ventilation and prevents the bird from getting too hot. The design of the birdhouse also puts the bird safely out of reach of cats. The kit, which sells for € 99, comes with a glue which will keep the house attached to the tile through winter frosts.

Kuiken, who describes himself as more of an inventor and craftsman than a designer, graduated from the ArtEZ School of Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands in 2010.

Above image: Terracotta roof tile birdhouse by Klaas Kuiken. Photo courtesy of the designer.

Birdhouse by Klaas Kuiken, a terracotta birdhouse that fits on top of a roof tile. All images courtesy of the designer.

Visit Klaas Kuiken