Pigeon Purch

This pigeon perch is a multifunctional urban design that provides a safe place for resting, perching, and nesting within dense city environments.

Research

The Rock Pigeon, commonly known as the city pigeon, is a highly adaptable bird species that thrives in urban environments as well as farmland and rocky cliff habitats. Measuring approximately 13.5 inches in length, pigeons display a wide range of color variations in urban populations, though the ancestral form features a pale gray body, darker head, white rump, and distinct black wing bars. Their pointed to rounded wings and rounded or square-tipped tails support strong, efficient flight suited to city landscapes.

Pigeons are social birds that often gather in large flocks, particularly in urban parks where food is readily available. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and fruits, but they commonly consume human food scraps, reflecting their close relationship with human environments. While this adaptability has allowed them to flourish in cities, pigeons face ongoing threats including pesticides, window collisions, and lead poisoning.

Rock pigeons are known for strong pair bonding and may mate for life. Courtship behaviors include cooing, bowing, and mutual preening. They typically lay 1–3 eggs per clutch and may raise multiple broods per year, often reusing the same nest. Nestlings hatch helpless and require extended care, reinforcing the importance of stable, protected nesting spaces. Understanding these behaviors and challenges informed the design of my pigeon perch, emphasizing safety, durability, and long-term use within urban ecosystems.

Visual Brand Language

A key requirement of this assignment was designing for a specific brand while closely following its visual and ethical language. I designed this project for Patagonia, focusing on the brand’s commitment to sustainability, durability, and repairability. The final design emphasizes modularity and easy disassembly, allowing parts to be repaired or replaced rather than discarded, aligning with Patagonia’s values of long-lasting, responsible design.

Constraints

SIZE | 12 x 12 x 12

BUDGET | $60

BRANDING | Must align with Patagonia's visual brand language.

ECOLOGY | Must be designed to satisfy two ecological design approaches.

USER | Must be designed for a specific North American bird.

Multi-Functional

Ecological Approach No. 1

This pigeon perch uses a multifunctional ecological approach to improve living conditions in urban environments. Pigeons often nest on small, unstable ledges in cities, which can be unsafe and uncomfortable. This design combines a removable perch with an integrated nesting tray, providing a stable, elevated space for both resting and nesting. By offering a dedicated platform, the design supports natural behaviors while improving safety and comfort in dense urban settings.

Disassembly and Repair

Ecological Approach No. 2

This pigeon perch is designed with easy disassembly and repair to support long-term use in urban environments. Its modular components allow individual parts to be removed for cleaning, maintenance, or replacement, extending the product’s lifespan and reducing waste. This approach aligns closely with Patagonia’s commitment to durability and repair-first design, encouraging maintenance over disposal and promoting responsible, environmentally conscious solutions that can adapt over time.

Pigeon Purch

The Pigeon Purch would function as a practical, everyday urban wildlife solution that supports both birds and the built environment. Designed for easy installation on buildings, balconies, or exterior structures, the perch provides a safe space for pigeons to rest and nest while reducing unsafe nesting on narrow ledges. Its modular, repairable design allows users to remove, clean, or replace parts as needed, encouraging long-term use rather than disposal. By integrating sustainability, durability, and care for urban ecosystems, the perch reflects how Patagonia products are used day to day—thoughtfully, responsibly, and with respect for the environment.