a building for a bird
Scrape is a bird blind designed for birdwatchers to observe the snowy owl during its irruption to Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
The snowy owl is a vulnerable species whose population has declined by 64% since 1970. Understanding and accommodating it is more important than ever.
Crafty Construction
Designed using a combination of messy mass timber and wild wood in mind, the structural components of the building are all comprised of locally sourced and processed wood.
different levels, different functions
Much like how the snowy owl will dig small indented nests on mounds in open fields, Scrape has similarly nestled itself into a coastal dune. This unique site condition allows for different modes of snowy owl engagement.
on the ground floor, the sightline runs parallel to the top of the surrounding dune, allowing a direct view of roosting snowy owls.
the floor above provides a panoramic view of an open landscape over which the snowy owl will hunt for prey.
Finally, the roof can be filled with sand, providing an elevated mound for snowy owls to rest and survey the landscape.
A literal pillar of the community
Coastal dunes are often the first line of defense between a storm surge and civilization inland. Scrape doubles as a set of driven piles to hold the dune in place and mitigate erosion. one can imagine a series of these bird blinds placed in strategic locations across the landscape.
