Bjarke Ingels’ firm BIG is reinventing the zoo. The typical approach would be to design the space as a place where humans walk freely and the animals have smaller areas where they are displayed during open hours.
In Zootopia, the design BIG came up with to improve the 1960s-designed Givskund Zoo in Denmark, the animals were the ones given a freer range to roam, and each species will be placed in a topography modeled after their natural habitat. In fact, any form of man-made architectural component is designed to be least intrusive as possible by hiding the viewing decks within the topography.
The only prominent artificial-looking structure would be the circular crate that acts as an entry and welcoming station. From there, visitors have three other gates they can choose from: sailing in Asia, biking in Africa or flying in America (by cable car, that is).
More information and renderings on the project can be found on BIG's website.
Related Stories
| Jan 30, 2013
Design Firm Little Expands Durham Interiors Studio
Both Benner and Byers have expertise in market sectors such as corporate, retail, hospitality, healthcare, research /technology, critical facilities, civic and education.
| Jan 22, 2013
Midwestern Construction Company Acquires Local Architecture Firm
St. Charles, Ill.-based design/build and construction firm acquires architecture firm.
| Jan 17, 2013
Thornton Tomasetti Founding Principal Thornton receives ASCE Lifetime Achievement Award
The OPAL Lifetime Achievement Award is given to civil engineers who “represent a model of achievement to which future generations of engineers aspire to match or exceed.”
| Jan 16, 2013
2013 40 Under 40 application process now open
Building Design+Construction's 40 Under 40 is open to AEC professionals from around the globe.
| Jan 16, 2013
SOM’s innovative Zhengzhou Greenland Plaza opens
The 2.59-million-square-feet building houses a mixed-use program of offices on its lower floors and a 416-room hotel.
| Jan 15, 2013
Morris Architects joins Huitt-Zollars
Morris, which will continue to provide services under its current name and leadership, is entering its 75th year of continuous practice as an architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning firm.
| Jan 11, 2013
HMC Architects: In their own voices
See what HMC professionals say about their “Best AEC Firm to Work For”
| Jan 10, 2013
Guide predicts strongest, weakest AEC markets for 2013
2013 Guide to U.S. AEC markets touts apartments, natural gas, senior housing and transmission and distribution.
