Polish design studio Nicer Design, led by Mikołaj Nicer and his father Paweł Frej, has developed the Numbird collection of digit-shaped nesting boxes aimed at supporting urban bird populations. These innovative birdhouses double as house numbers, seamlessly integrating functionality with ecological responsibility. Crafted from moisture-resistant plywood treated with natural oil, the Numbird boxes offer a durable and sustainable solution to the challenges faced by their previous clay-cast project, Our Common House. The shift to timber not only enhanced the product’s durability but also facilitated its commercial production, making it accessible to a broader audience.
The Numbird collection is designed to be a family-friendly DIY project, encouraging familial bonding through the assembly process. Each birdhouse is cleverly concealed within the digits, which are crafted with narrow angles and bold curves to ensure readability and aesthetic appeal. This unique typeface was specifically designed to accommodate the standard size requirements for small birds while maintaining the functionality of house numbers. By centralizing the birdhouses behind each digit, Nicer Design ensured the visibility and coherence of the numbers when displayed together. This thoughtful design not only provides essential nesting spaces for birds but also offers a meaningful activity for families, reinforcing Numbird’s dual purpose of fostering both community and wildlife in urban settings.
