Critical Species Decline

Urban expansion is one of the most significant drivers of species decline. Cities now host 15% of all known species yet studies show an average of 35% fewer birds in urban areas compared to surrounding landscapes. Species once common to our streets and rooftops, from house sparrows to starlings, are disappearing as the surfaces that define our cities offer no foothold for life to establish itself.

Data Driven Design

Fauna begins with data. A computational workflow ingests site specific biodiversity information including species decline patterns, foraging behaviour, and nesting requirements and translates it directly into optimised design geometry. Every aperture, cavity, surface texture, and spatial configuration is species specific, engineered to meet the precise conditions that target species need to nest, shelter, and thrive. No two installations are identical, reflecting the same principle of specificity and variation that underlies all functioning ecosystems.

Digital Fabrication

The system is realised through advanced digital fabrication, currently exploring both ceramic and wood composite materials selected for their bio-receptivity, structural performance, and commitment to circularity. Ceramic offers thermal stability and surface texture conducive to moss and algae colonisation, while wood composites bring warmth, biodegradability, and natural affinity with nesting species. By decentralising production through digital fabrication, we are able to manufacture locally and on demand, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with conventional construction supply chains.

Applications

Fauna is designed to be versatile in application. It can be deployed as a facade cladding system integrated into new or existing buildings, paired with green wall installations to create richer and more complete ecological interfaces, or realised as freestanding sculptural interventions in public realm and urban landscape settings.

Building Performance

Beyond its ecological function, Fauna contributes measurably to building performance. The material depth and porosity of each panel increases thermal mass at the facade, moderating heat transfer and reducing reliance on mechanical climate control. The complex internal geometry that makes Fauna an effective habitat simultaneously functions as an acoustic absorber, attenuating airborne sound and improving the acoustic environment for building occupants.

Fauna does not make buildings greener. It makes them alive.