August 2009

The Metamorphosis of a Nest – Building a Cradle for Pale Male and Lola

The outcry at the end of 2004 over the removal of an 8 foot wide hawk’s nest from above a 12th floor cornice on Fifth Avenue posed for Dan Ionescu Architects, a Union Square based design studio, a series of problems primarily, though not exclusively of a design nature.  When asked by the building’s board to intervene and find a solution to the plight of arguably the most famous pair of New York City birds, Pale Male and Lola, while also addressing the prolonged negative impact of the nest on the building’s limestone façade the firm found themselves reviewing the issues from a number of different viewpoints.  “As designers our concern was to create a functional yet visually pleasing structure that would satisfy human as well as avian sensibilities.  As architects our mission was to service our clients while protecting a Landmark structure.  As defenders, by default, of wildlife rights we were made aware of the necessity to have a viable solution in place before the Winter solstice when the birds would begin their mating rituals,” Dan Ionescu explained.  The result was a 24/7 race to conceptualize, fabricate and install a removable cradle capable of supporting a new 300 lb nest while maintaining the structural integrity of the building.

The challenge comprised the following elements:  to create a platform to support the nest construction that would secure the branches and keep the nest in place away from the surface of the landmark façade; to maintain the original location of the nest which is secure and familiar to the hawks; to make provision to allow for future repairs to the façade; and to better confine the nest and provide additional protection below from falling nest debris.

Says Dan Ionescu of the solution, ” We created a detachable structure that will allow rebuilding the nest and if necessary its temporary removal for façade inspection and maintenance without disturbing a single twig of the nest.”

The Challenge

Create a platform to support the nest construction that will secure the branches and keep in place away from the surface of the landmark façade.

Maintain the location of the nest in the same place, secure and familiar to the hawks.

Make provision to allow for future repairs to the façade.

Better confine the nest and provide additional protection below from nest debris.

The Design Solution

We created a detachable structure that will allow rebuilding the nest and if necessary its temporary removal for façade inspection and maintenance without disturbing a single twig of the nest.

Built of stainless steel material the structure comprises the following:

The support:

o 1 ¼” pipe frame following the contour of the pediment and connected to the limestone surface of the facade that will float slightly elevated above the terracotta pediment (the old support of the nest)

The Cradle:

o 12 GA expanded metal shaped to follow the curvature of the support will act as the base layer for the nest, allowing for drainage.

o 3/8″ square profile rods will be welded to the expanded metal surface creating additional protection and precluding twigs from falling on each side of the pediment.

o original pigeon spikes will be welded in place to the underside of the extended metal structure.

o original pigeon spikes will be welded in place to the underside of the expanded metal to show through the expended metal and allow the hawks to start the rebuilding of the nest

Note: The stainless steel surfaces will be faux painted to match the color of the façade.

The Construction Sequence:

-Re-pointing the deteriorating area of the façade

-Installing the stainless steel flashing on top of the terracotta pediment

-Installing the steel frame

-Installing the cradle