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Purpose-built new sites

This is a selection of some of the best purpose-built nest sites, but not necessarily the most successful in getting swifts to nest

Based around the simple “shoe-box” dimensions it is easy to construct a nest space in new buildings or renovated properties.

Internal plywood box inside gable end
New housing in Old Monkland (Coatbridge) for Clyde Valley Housing Association, architects ARM, contractors Kelvin Homes. There is an internal plywood box inside the gable end of the box soffit.
Nest box built to fit the gable-end
Nest box built to fit the gable-end detail of local authority housing in Dennistoun – and used also in Shettleston, for GHA /Lovell. This is a really neat and imaginative design – but in retrospect the entrance would have been better placed on the end face.
Nest box built to fit the gable-end
Slots in soffits lead into simple ply-wood boxes – created during renovation after fire severely damaged the building  Architect CRGP, contractor PLB construction.
box made to form the gable end soffit
Another example of a box made to form the gable end soffit – used in Glenelg Crescent for Lochfield Housing Co-operative, Easterhouse in Glasgow
box made to form the gable end soffit
and in Craigpark Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow for a private developer
Internal plywood box inside gable end
Purpose designed and built nest sites in 1960s tenement renovation in Holytown, Lanarkshire. This is a good example of imaginative use of design space to create new swift nest sites. This project won an award for North Lanarkshire Council architects in the UK-wide Integrated Habitat Design Awards in 2011.
Internal plywood box inside gable end
For private house builders/owners there are more opportunities. This neat air brick adaptation was successfully used in a private house in England (see cross ref to Action for Swifts Air brick nest site).
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