Slurbee

Slurbee

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research: urban beekeeping

experimentation: casted porous ceramics

product design: a water station for bees and other pollinators

made by Luka Pleskovič and Rok Oblak
photos: Klemen Ilovar and Rok Oblak

2022

Slurbee is a drinker for bees made with the help of 3D printing of a mixture of natural clay and sawdust. The biocomposite material allows sufficient water infiltration so that the bees can drink from the surface and survive the driest period of the summer.



The product is intended for both beekeepers and anyone who comes into contact with bees in their garden, balcony, meadow, or hive. It is most suitable for urban environments where there is a shortage of clean drinking water, especially in dry periods, and it is an indispensable source for hydrating and cooling the hive, even in rural areas. Providing a reliable water source helps support the health and productivity of the bee family. Slurbee is made of porous ceramic, through which water is purified and seeps in sufficient quantities for insects to suck it from the surface.