What it does
Koki-Hive makes urban stingless beekeeping easier, and more accessible. Designed for high-rise and terrace homes, it encourages city residents to keep stingless bees at home, support pollination, and promote urban farming, biodiversity, and food security.
Your inspiration
While studying in Penang, I noticed that many urban residents are unfamiliar with stingless bees and often misunderstand these tiny, harmless pollinators. In contrast, in my hometown, stingless bees live naturally, their honey usually as medicinal used and seen how they produce large, sweet, and healthy fruits. As urbanisation grows and pollinators decline, food security is increasingly at risk. This inspired me to design a compact, attractive hive that brings stingless beekeeping into urban homes, reconnecting people with nature and supporting biodiversity.
How it works
Koki-Hive is a modular, hanging stingless beehive, combining function with aesthetic value. It can be hung outside balconies or homes as a decorative light fixture, ideal for urban spaces. The hive has two main parts: the brood chamber and the honey castle. Both are removable for easy cleaning, monitoring, and maintenance. A sliding outer protective layer shields the hive from harsh weather and chemical fogging. It moves along a built-in rail and closes to block harmful substances, keeping the bees safe inside. A green roof with Zoysia grass offers natural insulation, regulating internal temperature and reducing heat stress on the bees. The honey harvest system is easy, just pull the handle or nozzle gently to break the honey pots and let honey flow through the nozzle into a container. Koki-Hive is compact, beginner-friendly, and functions as both an urban farming tool and a decorative element, reconnecting people with nature.
Design process
The design process began with research on urban food security and the potential of stingless beekeeping in Malaysia. I explored how pollinator decline affects urban agriculture and how stingless bees could be part of the solution. During site visits to urban homes and stingless bee farms in Penang, I identified key challenges such as limited outdoor space, lack of awareness, and the need for safety in compact environments. I then sketched multiple design concepts with a focus on safety, aesthetics, and functionality suitable for urban settings. A full-scale prototype was developed using HDPE, and I tested the lifting mechanism and honey-harvest system for usability. After gathering feedback, I refined the design by adding a spring control system to improve tension during honey collection, incorporated a green roof using Zoysia grass for insulation, and introduced a lift-off hanging structure for easy installation and maintenance. The final prototype was showcased at an academic exhibition, receiving positive feedback from urban design experts, students, and potential users for its unique combination of practicality and aesthetic appeal.
How it is different
Unlike traditional boxy hives, Koki-Hive is compact, decorative, and optimised for modern homes. Its lift-off hanging system and integrate with a honey harvesting mechanism reduce disturbance to bees and make honey collection effortless. The grass roof adds a functional, nature-integrated cooling system, while the outer frame shields bees from harsh city conditions. It is not just a hive, it is a bridge between nature and city life.
Future plans
The next step is to develop a functional prototype with real stingless bees under expert supervision. I plan to collaborate with the local stingless bee community hub, this community supporting sustainable stingless-bee farming, sharing best practices, and selling honey products. It is rich in educational content and offers a platform for networking among beekeepers. This partnership will support testing and refinement of Koki-Hive in real-world conditions.
Share this page on