Radical bat project takes wing

The Bat House Project is a collaboration between Turner Prize laureate Jeremy Deller, the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the Mayor of London, the Royal Society of Arts, and Arts Council England.

Berkeley Homes is a key funding partner for the project, which aims to show how bats can roost comfortably in mainstream building projects.

The project is part of the BCT’s campaign to make sure that bats aren’t disadvantaged by the move towards designing ‘airtight’ buildings that don’t include roosting space.

‘The need to reduce the carbon footprint of our future housing stock is beyond dispute. But it is likely that new materials, designs and technologies evolved to make buildings ‘airtight’ will lead to losses in biodiversity,’ said Dr Carol William, bats and built environment project officer at BCT.

‘Fortunately, it is possible to incorporate small changes to new builds that will make them a place where bats and birds can still find a home. Without these changes, there will be very few, if any, future roosting opportunities for bats or nesting opportunities for birds in our buildings.’

The bat house, due to be begin construction in late June, uses low carbon lime-based render finishes which bats find easier to cling to compared to cement-based render. A black roof will absorb and transmit solar radiation to the bats roosting below during the day.

BCT is also working with architects and developers to produce low and zero-carbon designs that incorporate roosting and nesting opportunities for wildlife. It is also a member of the UK Green Building Council’s Biodiversity Task Group, which is looking at how sustainable building can incorporate enhancements for biodiversity. The results will be published at the end of March.