Innovative South African Industrial Design Student, Ivan Brown, Prototypes Proposed Solution to the Global Plight of Dying Bees
As one of the primary pollinators in the world, honeybees assist with the majority of agricultural production ranging from cotton to food crops. Bees are not only important to human survival they also play a central role in the earth’s ecology.
Yet bees are facing several global threats. Because they are so critical to our survival, it is imperative that steps be taken to avert so-called “beemageddon”. The use of pesticides has contributed to the untold deaths of bees in last 6-10 years. Beekeepers lose up to 30 percent of their stock and equipment each year due to vandalism and theft, resulting in a loss of pollination and honey. Diseases such as American Foul Brood and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) play a large role in the decreasing number of bees worldwide. Migratory beekeeping is also a contributor, as it removes permanency for bee colonies and allows outside factors to threaten the structure of hives.
Young South African industrial design student and PPC Imaginarium Awards finalist, Ivan Brown hopes to bring about more stability for beekeepers and their hives through his uniquely designed concrete beehive. His “Beegin Permanent Hive” was entered as concept prototype into the PPC Imaginarium Awards and now goes into the testing phase thanks to further sponsorship from PPC Group Limited.
At this stage of his product testing, Brown plans to produce 20 concrete hives that will be tried and tested via implementation. Through this process, any remaining design issues will be identified and rectified. The hives will be distributed to a group of 20 urban farmers and existing beekeepers. Brown’s vision is to create safe and sustainable beekeeping practices in urban settings – empowering urban farmers with the means to earn extra income whilst helping to provide durable hives for their bees.
Speaking of why PPC has chosen to sponsor such a venture, architect Daniel van der Merwe, who heads the PPC Imaginarium Awards, states: “The PPC Imaginarium is an arts and design competition that supports innovation in cement. PPC looks forward to seeing the results of the testing phase of the Beegin Permanent Hive. We hope, in the long run, that it will have a positive impact for beekeepers.”
Brown’s beehive offers design innovations. Each hive will have two chambers that can be accessed with the use of brood frames. Four thin legs carry the weight of the hive. Furthermore, the permanency of the concrete exterior has more durability than a wooden version.