Bees are important for biodiversity. Pollination by bees ensure the reproduction of many plant species and thus their survival. Pollination of many fruit and vegetable plants ensures the growth of fruits and vegetable on the plants, which in turn ensures food production. In short, bees are an important species for all of us, but are unfortunately an endangered species. There are about 385 species of (wild) bees in the Netherlands, half of which are endangered. 

A roadside location as a hotel: 200 hives

Like the muncipality of Utrecht, Ocean Outdoor Netherlands wants to create a balance between greenery, colour and modern buildings along the A2 motorway. Together with Honey Highway, the verge has become a nesting place for wild bees, bumblebees and butterflies and the roadside location will therefore function as a true hotel for bees and butterflies. The Bee Hotel is a recognisable object that is a new landmark on the A2 motorway.

The roadside location has a height of 28 metres and includes a mock façade with a steel honeycomb structure containing over 200 nesting boxes for bees and butterflies. The hives were made by Utrechters with a distance to the labour market and are filled with Utrecht prunings and FSC chips.

The mock façade is constructed in such a way that the further upwards, the more open the façade becomes, and the top honeycomb structure is even completely open. To integrate the roadside location into its surroundings, it is sprayed in a neutral colour.

On top of the roadside location are two digital screens, each measuring 9 x 12 metres. These hang high enough so that the bees are not bothered by the spread of light through the screens. In addition, the screens are dimmed at night even further than required by NSVV guidelines.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a high priority at Ocean. The Bee Hotel consists of more than 75% recycled material. The roadside location consists of reused dismantled roadside location. Sustainable procurement has led to much praise from the region and from the sustainability sector, resulting in Ocean presenting as a speaker in a lecture on sustainable procurement.