NEST is a sculptural playscape built using reclaimed wood from NYC water towers

inspired by bird nests, tri-lox has created the ‘NEST’ sculptural playscape for the rooftop terrace of the brooklyn children’s museum​ (​BCM). designed to facilitate a dynamic play experience, the interactive piece has been built using reclaimed timber from water towers found across new york city.

all images courtesy of tri-lox 

tri-lox, who are a brooklyn-based design and fabrication practice specializing in sustainable wood, has utilized the cedar timber to create a curved, organic form. the skeleton of the structure is formed in metal, with the timber joists constructed in between to make the final shape. these wooden elements act as steps for the children, allowing them to climb up and interact with the playscape.

inspired by the idea of a bird’s nest, children can also play under the structure, providing a great place for imagination to flourish. the design is also characterized by the central hammock area that can be reached after climbing the exterior. with an overall footprint of 1,800 ft2, NEST complements the various elements on the rooftop and acts as a new focal point, offering children, as well as caregivers, a place to play, climb, and explore the nature around them, even in the urban environment.

‘in exploring the museum’s educational collection, we came upon a series of incredible bird nests and let them inspire our design,’ said ​alexander bender​, co-founder and managing partner of tri-lox. ‘one nest in particular, made by the baya weaver bird, offers an intricately woven form with rooms, tunnels, and multiple entries. this concept was then transformed into a climbable playscape that retains the natural materiality of the nest and tells a story of an iconic design within our vertical urban habitat – the nyc rooftop wood water tower. we quite literally brought the water tower back to the rooftop with this project’, says bender, ‘it just had to be turned into a giant nest first.’

project info:

project name: ‘NEST’

location: brooklyn children’s museum, brooklyn, new york city, the US

design: tri-lox