“Vulkan Beehives” are series of hives designed by the Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta, located on the roof of a food court in Oslo, in order to let beekeeping and plant pollination take place in the city.
The architects of Snøhetta designed pair of wooden structure, taking the concept of honeycombs in form with hexagonal surface articulation, and in covering with hexagonal patterns.
Courtesy of Snøhetta
“The natural honeycomb geometry was our inspiration for the form and pattern,” said the architects. “Two intersecting hexagonal volumes create the form, which were then adjusted in height and width to fit with the need of the beekeeper.” “Using a light-colored wood with a finish that is honey in tone was also a relationship that we wanted to create and present.”
Courtesy of Snøhetta
In collaborating with beekeeper Heier Du Rietz, the designers house 160,000 bees. Bees enter through a small opening at the bottom of each hive, and they can easily find pollen and water from the surrounding green spaces.
Courtesy of Snøhetta
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.