Faunahuis

Converting a house into a fauna house in Brakel
Buildings and infrastructures
Developing the green-blue network

Natuurpunt Vlaamse Ardennen plus vzw

Project website

Started in: 2023

Project by: Natuurpunt Vlaamse Ardennen plus vzw

Project website

Started in: 2023

The project

Near the nature reserve ‘het Burreken’ in Brakel, Natuurpunt bought some forest plots that included an abandoned but otherwise completely intact house. Because of the building’s exceptional location, on the edge of a nature and landscape reserve, the nature association wanted to give it a special purpose by converting it into a ‘fauna house’.

A fauna house is a building in which various possibilities of ‘nature-inclusive and fauna-friendly (re)construction’ are shown and demonstrated. This means that in new construction, restoration or conversion, opportunities are taken to preserve and increase ecological biodiversity in and around a building or other infrastructure.

To this end, the building structure was thoroughly revised functionally, but without changing the basic structure. All building elements were used to display various techniques and facilities – both old and new – that attract animals. As a result, the building was also ecologically upgraded and landscaped. The interventions serve to show materials as well as (in)building techniques and application possibilities. Each application there is not only visible, but also tangible. The possibilities are manifold and are not limited to the house itself, but spread along a demonstration route over both the immediate and the wider surroundings. The whole provides space for knowledge gathering and experimentation.

Project location

Brakel (Zegelsem)

Contribution(s)

1 buildings and/or infrastructures

Project costs

100.000-500.000 €

Participant(s)

Both the Fauna House and all developments surrounding it – including this website – were made possible thanks to the financial, material, logistic and technical support of numerous companies, institutions and organisations that are introduced and extensively thanked on the website. The decisive factor, however, was the financial support from Leader Vlaamse Ardennen, which made the conversion of the demonstration house possible, among other things. Leader is a European agricultural fund for rural development. One of the fund’s goals is the economic development of rural areas by investing in the quality of the environment and by profiling and promoting the regional identity. More information on Leader Vlaamse Ardennen can be found at the Plattelandsloket of the province of East Flanders. Important additional funding came from the Flemish Region – Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB) and the National Lottery, which supported the construction of several bat facilities and the development of the demonstration route, respectively.

How are the  criteria of the objective met?

Buildings and infrastructures

  • As little alteration of the initial landscape as possible /as much naturalness as possible to replace grey and concrete surfaces (e.g. green roofs and walls, greening the surroundings, incorporating the existing landscape into the infrastructure).
  • Incorporate the amenities into the surrounding area and environment.
  • Incorporate elements that are suitable for the local biodiversity (e.g. birdhouses suitable for the bird species on site, insect houses at an appropriate height, appropriate vegetation types).

Possible initiatives in which the project is involved :

The project is not part of any existing initiative.

Long-term maintenance

The Fauna House is a demonstration house with educational value that should inspire people to integrate buildings and infrastructure in the landscape, upgrade them and add ecological value. In this sense, this initiative has permanence.

Benefits

Functionality is extended by integrating into the building several ancillary functions such as demonstration rooms at different building levels and several small viewing areas (according to a cabinet structure) as well as the possibility to hold meetings, make presentations and receive (small) groups.
To provide insight into animal-inhabited facilities inside and outside, camera connections have also been provided at various places and observation posts have been set up, some of which can be followed later on the project website.
On this website, you will find all information related to this animal-friendly facility. An important addition to the fauna house itself. The site aims to reach a broad group of interested parties: ranging from individual homeowners and builders, to contractors and educational institutions, to policymakers and project developers. This can be done by providing insight and teaching visitors to see the forest for the trees.

Other projects linked to the objective: "Buildings and infrastructures"

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