HOST, a modular bee habitat by London-based design studio LAYER, champions native solitary bees and their essential role in pollinating urban ecosystems. Unveiled at Milano Design Week 2025 in collaboration with Andreu World, HOST reimagines the bee house as both ecological infrastructure and sculptural urban furniture.
Composed of stackable layers, each unit forms a protected nesting chamber designed to shield bees from wind, rain, and urban noise. Sloped roofs provide natural drainage, while thermally insulated interiors support stable conditions for larvae. A swivel-out mechanism allows for non-invasive human interaction—enabling gentle maintenance or observation without disturbing the bees.
HOST’s strength lies in its accessibility: unlike traditional hives, it requires no beekeeping experience. Designed for balconies, schoolyards, courtyards, and public spaces, it enables everyday citizens and city planners alike to contribute to rewilding efforts and urban biodiversity.
Beyond functionality, HOST is a provocative design gesture—inviting public conversation about species interdependence, environmental responsibility, and coexistence. By placing unseen pollinators at the centre of design, HOST proposes a new civic model: cities made not just for people, but for all forms of life.
