The Art of the Hive & the Aesthetics of Urban Beekeeping

Fortnum & Mason’s rooftop apiaries in London house bees in style - each of these hives has a bespoke entrance designed in a different architectural style – Roman, Mughal, Chinese and Gothic and have been painted in Fortnum & Mason’s signature eau de nil paint color.

Rooftop beekeeping is a deliberate and thoughtful act of integrating nature into the cityscape. These elevated apiaries produce hyperlocal honey while offering a habitat for pollinators critical to urban biodiversity. But beyond their ecological impact, rooftop hives embody a fascinating intersection of sustainability, design, and human creativity. The best rooftop apiaries balance the needs of the bees with aesthetics that inspire and engage urban dwellers, from hosting tours to producing sought after honey ripe with a city's terroir.

Designing for the Bees

Bees are far from passive tenants; they require specific conditions to thrive. A successful rooftop apiary considers their needs in every detail. Creating an environment where bees can thrive starts with understanding their essential needs, and considers the following factors:

1. Access to Forage: Bees require a steady supply of nectar and pollen to produce honey and maintain colony health. Incorporating pollinator-friendly plants around the hives ensures they have year-round forage. Urban gardens with native flowers, herbs, and flowering trees are ideal, as they offer diversity that mimics the natural landscape.

2. Proximity to Water: Bees need access to clean water for cooling their hive, diluting honey, and maintaining hydration. Rooftop apiaries often include shallow water sources, such as bird baths with floating corks or pebbles, to prevent bees from drowning.

3. Weather Protection: Urban rooftops can expose hives to harsh conditions like wind, rain, and intense heat. Apiary designs should incorporate windbreaks, shaded areas, and weather-resistant hive materials to protect the bees from temperature extremes.

4. Hive Orientation and Placement: Hive entrances should face south or southeast to maximize morning sun exposure, helping to warm the colony and encourage early foraging. Placing hives away from high-traffic human areas also minimizes disturbances to the bees.

5. Colony Management: Beekeepers must ensure that hives are appropriately spaced to reduce competition and overcrowding. Regular inspections and maintenance are critical to prevent diseases and pests that can devastate colonies.

6. Hive Design and Construction: The hives themselves should support bee health and productivity. n London, the 18th-century department sore Fortnum & Mason’s rooftop hives not only feature stunning architectural designs but also prioritize functionality. These bespoke hives provide adequate ventilation, insulation, and ease of access for both bees and beekeepers. Constructed to endure London’s weather, they maintain the ideal internal environment for the colony to thrive year-round.

Rooftop beekeeping is not a new thing - cities like Paris have long embraced the beauty and utility of rooftop hives. The iconic Opéra Garnier, for example, hosts apiaries surrounded by greenery that supports pollinators and adds a touch of nature to the skyline. The honey produced here is sold locally, turning an environmental project into a community treasure. In fact, urban honey often has more complex flavors than rural honey because of the diversity of plants in city parks and gardens. Fortnum & Mason’s rooftop apiaries echo a similar ethos, combining lush pollinator gardens with beekeeping practices that are as much about conservation as culinary artistry.

In New York City, the Brooklyn Grange has set a gold standard for rooftop agriculture. Their rooftop farms integrate beehives with sprawling vegetable gardens, creating a symbiotic relationship between pollinators and crops. The bees improve yields while enjoying an abundant supply of forage. Design features like windbreaks—which shield hives from the harsh gusts common at high altitudes—and shallow water sources with safe landing zones show how small details can make a big difference to the health of a colony. 

Designing for the Humans

While functionality is paramount, rooftop apiaries are increasingly celebrated for their aesthetic contributions. Modern rooftop beekeeping spaces often serve as design showcases, seamlessly blending hives into urban architecture. From sleek, minimalist enclosures to imaginative art installations, these spaces demonstrate that beekeeping can be beautiful as well as practical.

Copenhagen’s Bybi organization has turned urban beekeeping into an art form. Their hives, placed on prominent rooftops, are visually striking and designed to spark curiosity. By making the hives highly visible, Bybi encourages public engagement and highlights the importance of pollinators in urban ecosystems.

A map of Copenhagen in honey. Each jar of honey represents a beehive in Copenhagen and has a different flavor and color.

Rooftop apiaries also serve as hubs for education and engagement, offering a unique opportunity to bring urban dwellers closer to the natural world. By designing rooftops to include seating, signage, and demonstration areas, beekeepers can create inviting spaces for workshops, tours, and hands-on learning experiences. These spaces bridge the gap between city living and environmental awareness.

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver exemplifies this approach. Its rooftop apiary doesn’t just produce honey; it provides guests with an immersive educational experience. Visitors can observe the bees, learn about their role in ecosystems, and even taste the honey harvested just meters above their rooms. This combination of tourism and environmental stewardship transforms a simple rooftop into a space where sustainability takes center stage. Guests can even join "Bee Safaris," where they follow the bees’ daily activities and gain a deeper appreciation for these critical pollinators.

(All images sourced online.)