Case Study
Urban Bird houses
Urban Bird houses protecting native Bulbuls from invasive species
Abdulrahman Al Muftah
Abdulrahman Al Muftah is an accomplished interdisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and designer, dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and tradition through creative endeavors. With a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design in New York, a Master of Arts in Arts & Design Entrepreneurship from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, and currently pursuing a PhD in Women's Studies at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, Abdulrahman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work. Throughout his career, Abdulrahman has demonstrated a profound passion for traditional crafts and materials, particularly clay and limestone, which he incorporates into a diverse range of projects. As the founder of Allum and Al Wakrah Records, Abdulrahman is committed to promoting sustainability, culture preservation, and innovation in every aspect of his business ventures. From producing books, cosmetics, and vinyl records to crafting furniture and jewelry, each creation reflects his unwavering dedication to excellence and artistic vision. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Abdulrahman has served as a leader in graphic design and content generation for prominent destination management companies in Qatar. His ability to seamlessly blend tradition with modernity, coupled with his proficiency in website design and cutting-edge technologies, has made him a sought-after collaborator in marketing teams and among key stakeholders. Driven by a desire to stay at the forefront of design trends and engage with customers in meaningful ways, Abdulrahman continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions in the pursuit of creating immersive and culturally resonant experiences.
Challenges
Qatar's native White-eared Bulbul population faces significant decline due to competition from invasive Common Myna birds. These larger, more aggressive birds dominate nesting sites and food sources, gradually displacing the indigenous species that are integral to Qatar's natural ecosystem.
Uncontrolled bird nesting in urban structures creates substantial property damage in Msheireb's heritage-inspired buildings. Birds seeking shelter create nests in building crevices, HVAC systems, and architectural details, leading to structural deterioration and maintenance issues.
Traditional bird control methods often involve exclusion or removal, which fails to address the underlying ecological imbalance and doesn't support the native species that contribute to urban biodiversity.
Solutions
The Bird Cluster features strategically designed bird houses with species-specific dimensions. The entrance holes are precisely sized to accommodate Bulbuls while excluding larger Common Mynas, creating safe nesting opportunities exclusively for the native species through passive selection.
The design integrates seamlessly with Msheireb's architectural language, using limestone-inspired materials and clean lines. By providing attractive, designated nesting alternatives, the bird houses redirect nesting behavior away from building structures, protecting architectural integrity while supporting wildlife conservation.
The project establishes a replicable model for urban wildlife conservation that can be scaled throughout Doha. Through careful observation and documentation, the installation serves as both functional wildlife support and research tool, generating data that can inform future ecological design interventions.