I grew up in the countryside with a father who kept bees as a hobby. Back then, I didn’t think much of the practice, and traditional wooden bee hives felt like a timeless part of the landscape. Today, facing climate change, pesticides and predators, bees are increasingly threatened and these iconic hives of my childhood suddenly feel fragile.
I was surprised to learn that man-made hives have barely evolved in nearly a century. Most share the same form factor and materials, likely due to their low-cost construction principle and ease of repair. But a recent study from the Royal Society suggests that these traditional designs can allow parasites to reproduce more easily than in natural nests due to a lower humidity rate, raising questions on the robustness of the design. I think industrial designers have a role to play here, delivering not only better habitats for bees but also better benefits for the practice of beekeeping.
Another positive impact of a new design language is the power to spark curiosity and discovery
Bottom: Beehive Host
A noticeable example is coming from design studio Layer, in collaboration with Spanish furniture brand Andreu World. The project, Host, is a beautiful reinterpretation of classic modular hives. The modular system is designed to be mobile and dynamic, with a stackable structure that integrates smart weatherproofing — thanks to its sloping form and naturally insulating materials. Accent colours and attention to details truly elevates the object far beyond traditional wooden boxes. Rotating modules makes it easier to access honey harvesting without disturbing the colony, prioritising the wellbeing of bees.
Another positive impact of a new design language is the power to spark curiosity and discovery. What if beekeeping felt accessible and inviting to newcomers? Attractive and user-friendly hives could encourage people to care for their local pollinators, even on a small scale. This is what the designer Tanita Klein succeeded to achieve with the beehive project Bee Home with Space10. Targeting solitary bees, she created a miniature building for them — made of miniature floor and door entrances in a surprisingly poetic way — turning the object into something desirable for everyone’s garden or balcony.
Industrial designers then have the power to educate and reveal a cause by designing beehives as conversation starters
At a bigger scale, eye-catching beehives can even carry a real statement. When stumbling upon unusual urban beehives in neighbourhoods, people may better consider the importance of beekeeping and its benefits for ecosystems, and local communities could emerge around the topic. Industrial designers then have the power to educate and reveal a cause by designing beehives as conversation starters. Snøhetta’s Vulkan beehives were designed bigger than traditional ones, almost like a skyscraper for bees — quite playful coming from an architecture firm. The honeycomb pattern of the outer shell instantly communicates its function and directly speaks to inhabitants and passengers.
Bees have quietly run our ecosystems for thousands of years, and are now under threat. It is the right moment to give back, not only as a favour but as a responsibility for our own wellness. But just redesigning beehives is not enough. By observing, listening, and iterating — basics of the discipline of design — designers can not only shape healthier hives but also help individuals and communities understand what is at stake. Imagine if an entire neighbourhood was aware of how fragile and threatened bees are. That would definitely reshape our relationship with nature for better coexistence.
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