The SongBird Survival Garden

The SongBird Survival Garden centres around the narrative of a bird’s daily life. Designed for children, it provides a playful, immersive space for people to explore and connect with the fascinating lives of songbirds.

Three elements – shelter, water and food – are instrumental to birds’ lives. The design is inspired by the movement and perspective of a bird, foraging for food and water while moving between points of safety and shelter. Two pathways weave between layers of planting, mimicking how birds prefer to move through a network of cover.

At the centre of the garden is the birdhouse den made from reclaimed materials. It includes six hand-crafted metalwork motifs of threatened UK songbirds. Bird-friendly planting provides natural sources of food, nesting material and shelter. A circular pond provides shallow water for birds to drink and bathe in.
 

At a glance

Who would use this garden?
An environmentally conscious family with young children.
Where is the garden set?
Part of a larger suburban family garden in the UK.
Who or what is the design inspiration for the garden?
The fascinating and extraordinary lives of UK songbirds.
 

Garden legacy

The garden will be moved to the home of the Neighbourhood Network charity, who manage a busy community centre in Bransholme, Hull, East Yorkshire. The charity aims to support and empower people to create safer and healthier environments in which to live and work, improving people’s lives, health, and well-being in the long term.