This course is one of the few academic in-depth 19 investigations into the planning of animal facilities, Research-Based Design drawing on an interdisciplinary collaboration be- tween landscape architects, zoologist, biologists Building for Animals and specialist planners. Before drawing the first sketch this translates into nothing less than the ›invention of a new world‹. The aim is not confined to sparking a discussion Natascha Meuser about contemporary animal husbandry, but also to provide important and innovative inspiration for facil- itating an up-to-date transfer of construction-related knowledge to zoos. What are the outlines of the generally valid aspects of the design and which of these may be relevant for future building concepts? How can planners develop a design which success- fully reflects the needs of animals, their keepers, visitors, and thereby the zoo. Building for Animals Released as Volume 19 in the series Interior Architecture Research-Based Design Research-Based Design Building for Animals A House for Pandas This course was taught by Prof. Dr. Natascha Meuser and James Wong Zhen Fai (Interior Architecture). Hochschule Anhalt / Dessau Master Architecture / DIA Studio Winter Semester 2019 /2 0 Contents PROJECTS 73 Noah’s Ark 147 Panda Village A Potential Journey for Both Pandas and Humans How Cluster-like Architecture Benefits Nurin Abdullah the Natural Community Anna Thum 85 Vertical Zoo How Verticality can Change the Zoo Experience 159 Connecting to Nature at the Zoo INTRODUCTION Shaun Yong How to Consider the Five Senses in Architecture 11 Building for Pandas 95 Journey through the Forest Jameel Trowers Do Iconic Animals Need an Iconic Setting? Can the Bamboo Forest Become the Panda House Itself? 167 A Panda House Flowing into a School Mehmet Caferoglu Architecture as a Catalyst Encouraging BUILDING HISTORY Children to Love the Earth 105 How on EARTH ...? Down to EARTH! Chin Ai Ong 21 Zoo Buildings How Rammed Earth Transpires The Wild Animal – From a Showpiece to a as the Future Material of Zoos 175 The Civilized Panda Being with Rights Anotidaishe Mavazhe Citizen Harmony with Nature Gouda Shehata 113 Beyond Observing and Being Observed DESIGN PARAMETERS Pandas Amidst Nature 183 Your Neighbour the Panda Ebru Aykan Perhaps You Have Someone Living 36 The Foundations of the Design Near You that Seems Creepy Ten Parameters for Pandas 119 Bamboo Playground Paul Schwarz How to Reconnect Sustainable Nature 51 Planning Fundamentals Eddie Goh 187 UNZOO Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Why We Should Place Visitors 127 The Panda: A Reluctant Superstar Behind the Glass How to Lead Zoos through Uncertain Times Isabelle Wuttke EXERCISES Manuela Grigorescu 191 PANDADISE 59 Exercise 01 131 Giant Panda Research Facility and Exhibition From a Compound to a Living Space The Aesthetics of Perspective | View into Nature at the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde Sandra Misselwitz Martin Hundeshagen 69 Exercise 02 193 A Bridge to Nature The Aesthetics of Biology | Construction of Nature 141 The Rise of the Dragon Why Visitors Should A Panda House Surrounded Stand on Stage 71 Exercise 03 by Public Spaces Andrea Ramos Lopez An Instruction to How to Write a Claim Veronika Langen 195 APPENDIX Models, Bibliography Authors and Participants »The creation of zoo logical gardens Introduction is arguably the second oldest and second largest biological experiment of humanity, a phenomenon of tremendous significance.« Heini Hediger (1956) Building for Pandas Do Iconic Animals Need an Iconic Setting? Natascha Meuser How do humankind and animals, or architecture and zoology, fit together and relate to each other? The views of society on the optimal coexistence of hu- mans and animals have changed fundamentally over time. This shift in the public perception of wild ani- mals – from mere showpieces to beings with rights – is now more than ever a topical issue, especially in terms of how to accommodate these animals. This seminar addresses an important question: how best to design buildings for animals, using the example of a panda house. The aim is not confined to sparking a discussion about contemporary ani- mal husbandry, but also to provide important and innovative inspiration for facilitating an up-to-date transfer of construction-related knowledge to zoos. What are the outlines of the generally valid aspects of the design and which of these may be relevant for future building concepts? How can planners develop a design which successfully reflects the needs of animals, their keepers, visitors, and there- »Pandas seem to bring out the best in people. And that by the zoo? This course is one of the few academic is only one of about a thousand good reasons why we in-depth investigations into the planning of animal should keep them living on earth.« Mary Pope Osborne: A Perfect Time for Pandas, facilities, drawing on an interdisciplinary collabora- Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission, Volume 48, tion between landscape architects, zoologist, biol- New York 2012 ogists and specialist planners. Before drawing the first sketch this translates into nothing less than the Pandau house Beijing Zoo, China ›invention of a new world‹. Foto: kpzfoto / Alamy Stock Foto 10 11 Field Trip: Visit of Dan Pearlman office in Berlin, October 2019. Kick-off event in the Zoo with Dr. Andreas Knieriem, Through team design process students earn a deep The interim presentation with guests create an individual Pictures: Natascha Meuser the director of Zoo Berlin. understanding within the design process. reflection on the design results. assignment analysis sketching synthesis presentation Design Project Framework In this seminar students were required to produce Step 1: Research-based Design Step 2: Methodical Design Solution Upon completion of this course, students will be their own brief, in which case they will be respon- Formulating design parameters for buildings for In this complex planning task there were many able to: 1) Use scientific research to design build- sible for creating their own project and finding animals is a challenge at first. The requirements questions, that had to be solved. The methodical ings for animals, 2) Explain building history of zoo a site relative to their design idea. The program of the building mean that planning parameters design process hereby helps the student to find architecture 3) Determine fundamental architectur- checklist helps to develop the project, areas of im- have to adapt to the scales and habits of both ani- a structured way of solving problems by using al principles to meet the needs of the animal and portance, areas that need clarity, and the general mals and human beings. Although this analysis by object- design-knowledge within a design team. visitors 4) Define planning parameters and quality deliverables for the project. This must all be re- no means claims to be complete, by observation The central aim of the course is to learn how to standards for zoo buildings 5) Work interdisciplinary searched and analysed prior to formalising. Each of these parameters, the design and planning of independently gain a deep understanding of with parties involved in construction and planning. selection should enclude: a panda house can be carried out. The section that a problem area, formulate the problem based on By this stage students developed Site: location, access, reasons for choosing, health follows is intended to serve as a planning aid for thorough research, and to develop an individual, • a brief through discussions with the client and and safety aspects, key elements or features; the development of a design. It can also be used as interdisciplinary, and methodical design solution. other stakeholders, Building: size, use, form, scale and hierarchie; a communication platform if all parties involved in By structuring activities and communication be- • carried out an thorough site analysis, gaining Narrative: coherent design, which corresponds to planning and construction want to agree on an opti- tween the team members, the aim was to create as much information as possible about the site, the user requirements; mal building concept. It should be stated at the out- an individual reflection on the design results. surroundings and context, Programme: areas, specialist items; set that the concern here is archi tectural and peda- • ideas that will provide a basis for their concept. Zoning and Size: dimensional considerations such gogical design p arameters. That should also make Step 3: Final presentation as boundaries, access, future expansions; it clear that the planning of a zoo building should be The sketching phase leads to the synthesis phase, Project Design Brief Landscape: natural features of the site such entrusted to an archi tect who will of course engage where the design comes together. At this stage, Following research and discussions students begin as trees, rocks, topography, ponds etc.; landscape archi tects and specialist planners. Only the logistics of the building and site, the construc- to build an understanding of the spatial require- Circulation: movement and circulation of men and if the archi tect from the beginning creates a col- tion, the form and materials etc. become united ments of the project like: functional program, floor animal in, through and around the site; laboration with specialist planners, can a design into one entity. Finally, the presentation phase area standards to carry out particular tasks, spatial Climate: suitable for animal keeping; emerge that successfully reflects the needs of the and public discussion covers all the material used relationship requirements to the site and context. Views: visitor and animal perspectives. animals, keepers and visitors. to present and explain the project. 12 Introduction 13 Master Architektur / DIA Architectural Studio WS 2019/20 Building for Animals CONDUCT RESEARCH Schedule Field Trip Week 8 01 Dan Pearlman: Storytelling and Scenography as Design Methods Nov 27, 2019 02 Natural History Museum Berlin: Biodiversity of Nature Lecture 02 Zoologischer Garten Berlin: A Walk with Dr. Andreas Knieriem Week 10 Exercises Dec 4, 2019 01 The Aesthetics of Perspective.