Animal Architecture at Manchester Museum explores the fascinating relationship between animals and human-made structures, shedding light on how animals adapt, inhabit, and even build within our urban landscapes. While only a few animals—such as birds, bees, and beavers—are known to create their own intricate structures, many others, like pigeons and peregrine falcons, find homes within our buildings, even if they’re not always welcomed.
This illustrated talk focuses on three animals: pigeons, peregrine falcons, and beavers, using them as examples to inspire greater awareness and care toward wildlife in cities. The discussion considers three perspectives: designing specific structures for animals, like pigeon lofts; animals choosing to inhabit urban buildings, as falcons do on high towers; and animals as architects in their own right, such as beavers constructing lodges and dams. The talk ultimately invites us to think about what it means to design with animals in mind, fostering a deeper connection with the other lifeforms that share our built environments.
