German designer Emma Johann designed façade tiles made of various materials, which include nesting sites for wild bees.

While honey bees may be the first insects to come to mind when thinking about pollinating, a large portion of the pollinating is done by wild bees, which are mostly solitaire. Germany alone, there are over 500 different species of wild bees. Rather than in a hive, wild bees nest in nooks and crannies they find. However, nesting sites, as well as food sources, are dwindling due to increasing industrialisation, urbanisation, and intensification of agriculture. Due to this, bees have been looking for new homes in urban areas. Surprisingly, cities have now become more biodiverse than rural areas.

Johann consulted with wild bee expert to develop façade panels with incorporated space for wild bees. Called BUZZZ, the project aims to demonstrate “how interconnectedness among all living beings can transform urban spaces, shifting them from concrete jungles with vanishing ecosystems and essential cycles to spaces characterized by inclusivity, sensitivity, and thriving ecosystems.”

The panels are made of thermally modified ash wood, clay, and stoneware. They include holes in various sizes for different kinds of bees. The tiles are designed for application in curtains walls or as an additional layer on existing vertical surfaces in urban areas. They can be used both on a small scale, like on support pillars, or on a large scale, by covering entire façades.

Photos: Emma Johann