Architects redefine the zoo for the 21st century in the “Coexist: Rethinking Zoos” competition

In Archstorming's “Coexist: Rethinking Zoos” ideas competition, entrants were challenged to rethink the concept of the traditional zoo for the 21st century. Located on the site of the Barcelona Zoo, entrants had to propose a design that focuses more on animal welfare, biodiversity conservation efforts, and public education on the natural world. 

After evaluating submissions from around the world, the jury — which included architects who have contributed in redefining the zoo — selected three prize-winning entries by teams from Thailand, France, and Turkey. Check them out below.

First prize: “Re-Habitat” by Worawut Oer-Areemitr, Chanakarn Assavasirisilp, Thakan Navapakpilai and Bemjama Prasertpan | Bangkok, Thailand

Project summary: “Instead of fencing a new territory for wildlife as a typical zoological park, we believe [a] zoo should be part of the urban organ rather than being isolated. By understanding the existing context and animal’s consideration, we propose the new threshold between human and animal, allows people to publicly experience so called ‘Habitat Parc’ where they can rightfully use and observe Non-Sapien’s friends in their natural environment. This elimination of the ‘urban cage’ between the Human and Animal Citizen will lead to the enhancement of the animal welfare and also raise animal preservation awareness.”

Second prize: “This is not a zoo” by Elias Vogel and Estelle Filliat | Paris, France

The second prize entry proposes a light footbridge overhanging the park and sheltering the different programs: veterinary school, laboratories, exhibition, conference, biogas silo…

3rd prize: “Limit” by Pinar Kesim Aktaş, Mehmet Cemil Aktaş, Ekin Şeker, Nergis Aşa | Istanbul, Turkey

The jury: Jan Nowell of Arterial Design (Australia); Robert Watson of Watson Architecture + Design (Australia); Bas Ten Brinke of 70F (The Netherlands); Adrian Iredale, Finn Pedersen and Martyn Hook of Iredale, Pedersen and Hook (Australia); and Mario Carreño and Pietra Sartori from Carreño Sartori Arquitectos (Chile).

All images courtesy of Archstorming.