Solitary Bees: The unsung heroes

Over the past two decades, the UK has lost 60% of its flying insects and solitary bees are among the most vulnerable. With around 240 species and no hive for protection, they are uniquely exposed to the pressures of urbanisation, increasingly unable to find viable nesting sites in cities built from surfaces of glass, steel, and concrete that offer nothing for life to hold onto.

Apia Solitary Bee Panels:

Apia is our response. Rather than a generic off-the-shelf bee hotel, it is a site-specific, architecturally integrated habitat system engineered around the precise needs of target species. Cavity dimensions, surface texture, depth, and microclimate are all computationally derived from ecological data, ensuring each panel functions as a genuinely effective nesting environment rather than an aesthetic gesture.

Mycelium

The core of our innovation is the material. We make Apia panels using mycelium, the root network of fungi, found naturally in the soil, decaying wood, and tree bark that constitute their native nesting environments. Biodegradable, naturally water repellent, and texturally receptive to life, it is the closest material analogue to the habitats these species have lost. 

Thermal Performance

Mycelium composites possess a low thermal conductivity, typically in the range of 0.04–0.06 W/m·K, comparable to established insulation materials. When integrated into building facades, Apia panels increase thermal mass and reduce heat transfer through the wall, contributing to improved building energy efficiency. This is particularly significant in urban environments where glass, steel, and concrete surfaces accelerate heat gain and contribute to the urban heat island effect. 

Acoustic Performance

The porous, fibrous microstructure of mycelium makes it an effective sound-absorbing material. The undulating geometry of Apia panels enable them to attenuate airborne sound. This dual function means that Apia contributes to reducing urban noise pollution while improving acoustic comfort for building occupants without additional specialist materials or systems.

We are currently testing Apia across various projects in London, with ongoing research partnerships validating its ecological performance against measurable benchmarks.