Michael Cox wrote:Wearing my beekeepers hat, rather than my designers hat...
How is this hive inspected/managed? The shelves/racks look well designed, but I'd be concerned about getting access to the back frames once the colony had been in place for a while and gummed up everything with propolis. Can the glass be cleaned/maintained?
It looks like it is in a window in full sun. How is it insulated/protected from overheating?
I'd love to setup a grand observation hive like that :D
Hi Michael! Perfect questions! I took this on as a beekeeper & Design Builder. I had my own questions but the hive is being maintained by another BeeKeeper so we have 3 modes of attack on this build, my Beekeeping knowledge and build Feasibility, the Beekeepers wishes and design input and the Business's aesthetic requirements.
Inspection/ Management will be from the front with a single sash top hinged door/window. A major handle and metal reinforced prying points. The BeeKeeper will clean the Acrylic with Rubbing Alcohol, if they really muck it up and it becomes opaque I'll replace the whole window during a maintenance day. The cool part is what I'm working on today which is the bee management outdoor port.
It's actually in my shop at the moment but yes it will go on a west facing wall with windows, I was more concerned with sunlight interfering with the bees than the heat but just in case I added a layer of R 3.5 rigid foam between two seperate 1/2" wood panels for a thermal break (Combined should be roughly R-6, which is Commercial Energy Code for reference) It's in their retail space so it is heated and cooled. I did ask about venting but we can add one after if it becomes an issue.
I hope you'll follow the build! I'll be posting installation, maintenance, successes and failures in the future.