The Langstroth beehive and Hoffman frame are recognised worldwide as the most efficient and effective system to base a substantial beekeeping operation on. The size adjustability for different seasons and controlled comb building make the beekeepers (tough) job so much easier. However, when it comes to durability and protection the typical materials (wood or plastic) used to make these beehives make the beekeepers job much tougher.

Weathering and wood parasites/pests force beekeepers to undertake arduous maintenance procedures every few years. The wooden hives have to be treated with chemicals to keep the bugs and water out, while plastic (leaving aside the environmental and bee health issues) the hives have to be painted to protect them from the sun. In many areas these weak beehives are often destroyed by fires, bears, badgers, monkeys, vandals and conflict. While the light weight of the standard wooden and plastic hives is great for the beekeepers back, and for migratory pollination beekeeping (also won't get into the issues on that one), it means that other people can also carry the hives away easily, with theft becoming a serious problem all over the world.

Based on the Langstroth beekeeping system the Bee Bunka is standardised, efficient and highly productive. Made from a lightweight-concrete mixture, with steel-reinforcement, these permanent concrete beehives are resistant to theft, vandalism, pests, fires, harsh weather and badgers. The durable concrete does not need to be maintained and insulates the interior space - assisting in the regulation of the internal temperature, reducing energy consumption and increasing honey yield (see research blog). The Bee Bunka comprises of three main parts: a brood chamber (241 mm deep) with an attached floor and front entrance; a shallow (145mm deep) super chamber; and a telescopic lid. The chambers each take 10 x 35mm frames (or 11 x 32mm). The hive takes all standard queen excluders and inner covers. The hive components all interlock and can can be locked easily with a chain or cable. The components can be fire treated to remove bacterias.

The Bee Bunka is made to be a permanent (sedentary) beehive, but the brood chamber can be moved by 2 people. The super and lid are easily movable parts (under 23kgs) that one person can lift.