Beerrel

In the modern world, beekeeping has become more and more industrial. Humans have developed hives that are more practical to operate and yield more product but it is at a cost of the bees’ wellbeing. I wanted to find a way to bring that craft back to the local spheres as well as to take inspiration from the centuries of beekeeping traditions that were lost with the invention of the modern beehive, due to the need for faster and bigger product.

My goal was to combine both the traditional methods and current, well-tested, systems into one hive. The result of that is Beerrel (the bee barrel). The hive is in a shape of a super-ellipse, making it reminiscent of a barrel shape. It is a perfect midpoint between the practical shape of a modern rectangular hive and the traditional round hives made inside of tree trunks. The shape allows for bigger space for the combs while eliminating corners on the inside, resulting in more even heat distribution and eliminating the spaces in which mold and condensation could build up.

Its inner structure follows that of a Warré hive, known for being a more natural way of beekeeping. In it, bees form their combs freely, from top bars instead of typical rectangular frames, which sometimes can contain glue residue or chemicals.