Insect hotel for Ornitocyl 2025

The context

Ornitocyl is the leading ornithological fair in Castilla y León — an annual gathering that brings together bird enthusiasts, naturalists and organisations committed to the environment. For the 2025 edition, Omnia Makers was invited to participate with a project combining hands-on making and ecological awareness. The answer was straightforward: an insect hotel.

Design and build

The hotel was designed to provide shelter for beneficial insects such as solitary bees, lacewings and ladybirds. The main structure, shaped like a small gabled house, was built entirely from solid wood. Each interior compartment holds a different material — hollow reed stems, pine cones, drilled logs and natural bark — creating a variety of microhabitats suited to different species.

The local association HLC and the La Cañada town council collaborated on the project by providing materials and workspace, making it possible to have the hotel ready in time for the fair.

At the fair

The insect hotel was displayed at the Ornitocyl 2025 stand alongside other local community projects. It attracted great interest from visitors, especially younger ones, who learned about the importance of pollinating insects and their role in ecosystems. The project also served as a starting point for explaining what making is and how anyone can build useful things for their surroundings.

What we learned

This project showed that making doesn't have to be high-tech to have impact. With wood, natural materials and a few hours of community work, you can create something that contributes to the local ecosystem and bridges maker culture with environmental education.