Deep within the protected forests of Luxembourg, this architectural project carefully considers ecological stewardship through the lens of human ingenuity. Designed by Temperaturas Extremas, the Mammal and Bird Reservoir exemplifies a ‘more than human’ design ethos, advancing architecture that prioritises biodiversity alongside essential urban infrastructure.

Nestled in the Natura 2000 protected areas network in Luxembourg, one walks underneath canopies of beeches and oaks; a vital European conservation initiative, it redefines the integration of human functions into fragile ecosystems. The Madrid-based firm took part in an architecture competition to design a structure that anchors itself within the natural landscape. The studio, founded by Atxu Amann, Andrés Cánovas and Nicolás Maruri, bagged the first prize for their reservoir design. The team successfully built within an eco-sensitive area while giving back to the ecology by creating a refuge for birds and other wildlife.

For the design, the team created a three-dimensional volumetric composition. Constructed from a combination of concrete, steel and wood, the tower incorporates two massive drinking water tanks into the forestland, with a total volume of 1000 cubic metres and standing 50 metres tall. Going beyond mere infrastructure, the Spanish architects ensured that the design supports local and migratory bird species, mimicking the role of a tree in its forest setting. The need to design, keeping the local fauna in mind, stems from the studio’s core philosophy of sustainability and circular economy within the built environment.

Intervening in a protected area allowed the team to give back to the natural landscape. A grid of swallow nests placed at precisely considered heights and orientations interrupt the built volume of one silo with a rough, prefabricated reinforced concrete exterior.  A result of cooperation with ornithologists and naturalists—this tower also features a peregrine falcon nesting space at its peak. Working with specialists helped them extensively understand the needs of non-humans. This majorly helped devise the location and design of the project.  Each of the species’ requirements establishes the nesting features, surface treatment, nest arrangement orientation, height and interspecies cohabitation. Hence, the program's two volumes address distinct ecological and functional needs.

According to the team, “The task for us as architects was to arrange nests and make habitats compatible, but also to allow for spontaneous nesting in certain areas, which is the final success of the experience.” The site’s wildlife response to the tower allowed for data recording and interpretation, which can then be used for similar projects in the future. The intervention becomes an active conversation in ecological design. The restrictive aspect of the site also meant that much of the design included prefabricated architecture elements and specifically engineered joinery that could be connected seamlessly.

Like layers of an onion, the structure is surrounded by a porous shell of raw larch wood and wrapped in cork for thermal insulation, exemplifying wood architecture within concrete construction. This organic material supports bat colonies with well-located niches and encourages seasonal bird nesting. The wooden facade design will eventually develop into a living part of the forest, supporting flora that blends in with the surrounding ecology. At ground level, rammed earth pavements support the tower in its earthy surroundings, and a metallic skin prevents intrusion while letting the structure breathe. By serving as a vegetative cover that extends the forest floor above, the green roof enhances the ecological effects fostered by the design.

Beyond its structural features, the reservoir’s design reflects a deep understanding of natural cycles. Rainwater collection systems are integrated into the scheme, ensuring sustainable water management that benefits both human and non-human inhabitants. This consideration enhances the site’s ecological resilience, fostering a harmonious relationship between infrastructure and the environment. The involvement of multidisciplinary experts—naturalists, ornithologists and material specialists—ensured that every design element served a greater ecological purpose.

The project caters to the people with its reservoirs and also provides space for the fauna to flourish. On the greater responsibility of architects towards our sensitive ecology, the team shares with STIR, “One of the great challenges of architecture today is to not only contribute to the cushioning of the impacts it has but fundamentally to give back to nature part of what was taken from it; in other words, the challenge is to increase the planet's natural capital.”

(Text by Arryan Siingh, Intern at STIR)

Project Details

Name: Bird and Mammal Shelter and Water Reservoir
Location: Luxembourg
Client: Service Eaux, Ville de Luxembourg
Design Team: Atxu Amann, Andrés Cánovas, Nicolás Maruri, Adelino Magalhaes
Collaborators:
Site Supervision Architects: Andrés Cánovas, Nicolás Maruri, Joachim Kraft, Ballini Pitt Architectes-Urbanistes - Jimmy Brunner
Structures: Simon-Christiansen & Associés Ingénieurs-Conseils
Hydrology: Luxplan Ingénieurs-Conseils
Ecology and Biodiversity: Biomonitor
Technical Supervision: Secolux
Health and Safety: D3 Coordination
Construction Company: Galère Lux
Year of Completion: 2024