The “Umine” project is a series of three birdhouses designed for songbirds. It represents the author’s personal response to nature and her attempt to contribute to the environment by providing shelter for small creatures, while acknowledging the imbalance caused by human activity.
Each birdhouse is handmade from an adobe-like material produced from locally sourced clay soil, collected and processed by the author. All additional materials were also gathered from nature, creating a direct connection between the objects and their surroundings and making them more familiar to the birds for which they are intended.
The rounded, organic forms feature textured surfaces that reflect the making process and the properties of the material. Variations in surface treatment and openings distinguish each piece while maintaining a consistent visual language across the series.
The project emphasises craftsmanship, material exploration and a direct relationship with nature. It seeks to establish a small balance between people and the natural world through sustainable, tactile and considered design with a clear purpose and value.