NEST DOMES

According to experts, in the last four years, 99 per cent of sea turtles have been born female. The sand's warmth influences their sex during the incubation phase: research shows that if a turtle's eggs incubate below 27.7°C the turtle hatchlings will be male. If the eggs incubate above 31°C the hatchlings will be female. This of course means that the hotter the sand, there’s more probability of female newborns – and so the concern for sea turtles’ eventual disappearance grows.

Wunderman Thompson Colombia and Banana Boat, in partnership with The Colombian Sea Turtle Conservation Program (ProCTMM), have come up with an innovative and sustainable solution: Nest Domes. Inspired by the organic shape of turtle’s shells and made with natural materials, the Nest Domes are Domes that regulate sand temperature on the beaches, influencing the proper conditions in terms of shading and ventilation needed to hatch a better proportion of female and male newborns.

Designed with the help of Marine Biologists, local artisans, designers, and engineers, the Nest Domes were created with Caribbean wood from Santa Marta (Col.), that make up part of the sea turtle’s ecosystem. Light wood which helps to reflect the sunrays, Internal layers are made of cork, a material that is 100% bio-degradable and importantly, a natural coolant, while the outer layer is covered with flaxseed oil to prevent humidity when it rains. The design has handcrafted windows especially created to guarantee the proper circulation of wind, pushing the hot air, out of the dome.