Copenhagen Zoo, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, Schønherr Landscape Architects and MOE have collaborated on a new yin and yang-shaped Panda House that resembles the Panda?s natural habitat and creates a peaceful environment for one of the world?s rarest mammals.
The new Panda House is scheduled to open in 2018, just in time for the arrival of the two giant Pandas from Chengdu in China ? a gesture of goodwill from the Chinese government following Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark?s visit to the country in 2014. Encompassing a 1,250 m2 indoor site and 1,200 m2 outdoor area, the circular shape fits perfectly between the existing buildings at one of the oldest Zoos in Europe, including the award-winning Elephant House by Norman Foster. The construction is scheduled to commence later this year, once the 150 million DKK construction budget has been secured. ?Copenhagen Zoo?s idea-driven organization was key in defining the team we wanted to work with on the new Panda House project. It?s part of our DNA to let everyone from zookeepers, to gardeners and vets, influence the design and function of the facilities to secure the well-being of our animals. The team understood our approach and successfully integrated it into their design process to create a world-class home for these adored Pandas.? Steffen Stræde, Zoo Director, Copenhagen Zoo.
The design of the new Panda House begins with a circular shape, formed by the surrounding existing facilities at the intersection of multiple walkways....