Taiwanese designer Cheng-Tsung Feng has developed an innovative architectural solution for protecting wildlife from extreme weather conditions by creating four floating wooden shelters specifically designed for ducks. The unique pinecone-shaped structures were built to shield approximately 25 call ducks from Taiwan's intensely hot summers and frequent typhoons at the Swiio Villa Yilan hotel.

The project, titled "Nesting Plan VI Call Duck," represents the latest iteration in Feng's ongoing Nesting Plan series, which explores the fascinating relationship between architecture and the natural world through careful study of animal nest-building techniques. The designer's approach combines practical animal welfare considerations with innovative architectural design principles to create structures that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Feng's design process was heavily influenced by detailed behavioral observations of the resident duck population. Initial research revealed that the ducks naturally gathered in four distinct groups across different areas of the pond, leading to the decision to create four separate shelters of varying sizes. "We noted their preference for dry, secluded corners where they gather leaves and straw to form hidden nests," Feng explained to Dezeen magazine.

To ensure optimal functionality, Feng created a prototype shelter and deployed an observation team to document the ducks' daily interactions with the structure. This comprehensive research phase led to numerous design refinements, including adjustments to buoyancy systems, floor height specifications, entrance design modifications, and ventilation improvements. The iterative design process demonstrated the importance of understanding animal behavior when creating habitat structures.

The final shelters were constructed primarily using pine wood and feature a distinctive cladding system of angular, overlapping slats arranged in a pinecone-like formation. This design choice serves multiple practical purposes, maximizing ventilation, providing effective shade, and ensuring proper water drainage. The pinecone shape also pays homage to the abundance of pinecones found in the surrounding natural environment. "Wood has an innate compatibility with lush, green environments and its warmth makes it feel familiar and unobtrusive to animals," Feng noted.

Each shelter incorporates circular, porthole-like windows that serve a dual purpose: allowing the ducks to observe their surroundings while providing hotel guests with viewing opportunities through bird-watching telescopes installed in the guest bedrooms. This thoughtful design element creates an engaging wildlife viewing experience for visitors while maintaining the animals' comfort and security.

The shelters are equipped with automatic lighting systems that activate during evening hours throughout the cold winter months. This feature creates an inviting and warm environment for the ducks while adding an ambient glow to the pond area after dark, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the hotel's landscape design.

Inside each hut, the design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and functionality. The interior spaces provide ducks with dry, well-ventilated, and shaded enclosures lined with natural straw bedding. To facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance, the base of each shelter is detachable from the roof structure. The flooring utilizes wood-plastic composite materials, chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance in the aquatic environment.

This project joins a growing trend of architecturally designed animal shelters that prioritize both animal welfare and aesthetic considerations. Recent similar projects featured in design publications include a timber roost for woodland creatures designed by 51 Architecture and a traditional thatched sheep pen in Japan created by 2m26. These projects demonstrate the increasing recognition of the importance of thoughtful design in animal habitat creation.

The Nesting Plan VI Call Duck project showcases how careful observation of animal behavior, combined with innovative architectural design, can create solutions that benefit both wildlife and human observers. The floating shelters represent a successful integration of practical animal welfare needs with sustainable design principles and environmental harmony.