WDC-Campus: Dialogwerkstätten

Im Zoo: Bewegungsräume für ein Gemeinschaftserlebnis

For 168 years, Frankfurt Zoo has shaped the cityscape and served as an oasis of biodiversity. The traditional center for nature and species conservation is being modernized. The first step is the new Africa area, inviting visitors on a journey through the Serengeti.

The public area of a zoo serves many purposes. Design and furnishings consider aspects such as immersive animal experiences, quality of stay for individuals and groups, accessibility, climate, education, information, and furniture.

The planned savannah area at Frankfurt Zoo includes an animal house and an outdoor area of about 24,000 m². Different species are housed together wherever possible. The visitor path stretches over 1,000 m, leading to hippos, giraffes, flamingos, and more.

Immersive zoo design visually connects the habitats of animals and visitors. Visitors move along clearly defined paths through the new habitats, with the path becoming a central architectural element: it guides movement, creates visual connections, and enables varied encounters between visitors and animals.

In cooperation with Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Department of Architecture, this topic was explored as a project task.

Programme

12:00 – 13:00: Exclusive guided tour of the ‘dreams, ideas & prototypes’ exhibition

13:00 – 16:30: ‘ZOOKUNFT2030+’ exhibition and discussions with the zoo, planners and students from Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Department of Architecture

5.00 pm – 6.30 pm: Live talk and discussion on the topic of zoo design. On the panel: Zoo Director Dr Christina Geiger, Anna Buttkus, Dan Pearlman (Erlebnisarchitektur), Dipl. Ing. Felix Nowak and students from the Department of Architecture at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. Moderator: Marco Dinter, Nature Conservation Officer at Frankfurt Zoo

Frankfurt Zoo is a green oasis in the heart of the Main metropolis and home to over 4,500 animals from more than 400 species. As a modern center for nature and species conservation, it participates in breeding programs, conducts zoo biology research, and shares knowledge about environmental and species protection. This project is a collaboration with Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Department of Architecture.