On Rottumeroog, a remote, uninhabited Dutch island we have had the privilege to construct a temporary refuge for the bird watchers of the National Forestry Commission Staatsbosbeheer. This igloo-shaped shelter, with a size of 30 m2 is designed and built in Alaska and has been tested under most severe weather conditions all over the world.

With the start of the breeding season, birds like sterns, spoonbills, eiders and plovers will look for safe places to land and breed. Rottumeroog is an important island where ten thousands of birds rest and feed; you can call it a small miracle in the Dutch landscapes. To ensure peach for the birds, the bird watchers will stay on the island during the breeding season from April to August, where they will monitor the environment where wind and water reign. “We joined forces with Staatsbosbeheer, because we believe that together we can create a flexible, sustainable and innovative accommodation that will leave no ecological footprint on the island. To contribute by co-protecting a unique piece of nature in the Netherlands. To create a place where bird watchers can fulfil their tasks in a comfortable manner during the breading season. The dome offers the bird watchers a dry shelter and is a good alternative for the former home on Rottumeroog, which was demolished in 2014 after a violent storm. It is a valuable but challenging task to provide the bird watchers a roof over their heads.”, says Ron van de Wiel, co-founder of Blue LOOP Originals.