Wild animals pavilion in Jihlava ZOO

Idea projektu

The proposed exhibit is situated on a sloped terrain within the Jihlava Zoo, on plot number 1017/1 in the municipality of Jihlava. The designated area is irregularly shaped and located in close proximity to the zoo’s main visitor path. The pavilion stretches along the slope from north to south. On the northern side, it is embedded into the hillside, where retaining walls are used to create terraced platforms capable of accommodating a higher concentration of visitors. The eastern and western boundaries of the site connect to existing pathways, which are being revitalized and upgraded to handle an increased number of visitors. These routes are also designed with operational access and staff serviceability in mind. The southern edge of the site slopes down toward the zoo’s main path. Thanks to the pavilion’s alignment with the natural topography, its height remains within the acceptable limits set by surrounding structures. These include the hyena pavilion, the petting farm, and bird aviaries. As these neighboring facilities are no longer fully adequate, the design of the new pavilion takes an innovative approach, introducing new construction techniques and materials suitable for housing wild felines. The pavilion features an external visitor path that allows views into the indoor enclosures of the Sumatran tiger, the fishing cat, and the Sri Lankan cat. Each of the wild cat enclosures is connected to adjacent outdoor aviaries. Similarly, the indoor space for the Sumatran tiger is linked to an outdoor habitat. Visitors can observe this outdoor territory from a walkway that runs along its perimeter. This elevated walkway creates a sheltered outdoor area at its southern end, offering a unique perspective into the daily life of the predatory animals. The sheltered space transitions into outdoor paved areas, once again intended to accommodate larger visitor groups.

Popis projektu

The sloped site contains a significant amount of mature greenery and trees. For the construction of the new pavilion, it was inevitable that some of the vegetation would need to be removed and replaced. However, with careful consideration of the existing greenery from the very beginning, much of the original vegetation has been preserved and incorporated into the design of the outdoor enclosures and aviaries. New planting is thus used only to complement or appropriately substitute the existing vegetation. The building is accessible to visitors via existing paths, which it connects to and utilizes effectively on both the northeastern and southern sides. The intention was to guide visitors along the entire perimeter of the pavilion, both at ground level and via the proposed elevated walkway. This allows for a variety of viewpoints into the lives of the housed predators while also helping to reduce congestion on the currently adequate paved areas. The design did not focus solely on the visitor experience, but also prioritized the needs of the animals themselves. The specific species of tiger required a tailored approach to its natural behavior and habitat. The Sumatran tiger is a creature adapted to the wilderness, dense vegetation, and humid environments. It is known to be elusive and stealthy. For this reason, the outdoor enclosure is designed to offer places of refuge and hiding within shrubs and trees, elevated rocky platforms for observation, and water features that support the tiger’s needs. Overall, the pavilion is conceived in an innovative and unconventional manner compared to traditional zoo standards, while remaining within the constraints defined by the site's greenery, slope, and existing infrastructure — all of which the design seeks to integrate with sensitivity. The structure is conceived as a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibit units. In response to the terrain and the context of the site, the design intentionally offers only an exterior route for visitors, encircling the entire pavilion, including an elevated walkway that also creates a sheltered outdoor area. The primary goal is to draw the visitor's attention to the outdoor habitats of the tigers and smaller wild cats, while also allowing glimpses into their indoor spaces through large glazed openings. To provide a high-quality outdoor environment for the animals, the design incorporates a mix of natural elements — including forested hideouts, elevated stone outcrops for surveillance, and water features. These features address both the animals’ behavioral needs and the desire to create visually compelling moments for visitors. To achieve an appropriate level of enclosure density, much of the original planting — trees and shrubs — has been preserved and integrated into the design. New plantings are added only where necessary to enhance the environment. Overhead, the entire pavilion is enclosed with mesh netting anchored to the northern wall structures, which separate the indoor enclosures from the outdoor ones. The first indoor zone for the tiger functions as its primary indoor exhibit area, where feeding also takes place. This space connects to the visitor path through a large viewing window and is naturally lit by a circular skylight. A smaller, adjacent room offers the tiger privacy and safety, and is also illuminated by natural and artificial lighting. Staff areas adjoin this space and include a capture and isolation room for the tiger, as well as a third enclosure for quarantine purposes. A service hall is designed to accommodate both animal handling and technical operations, with turning space for small utility vehicles and ample daylight from additional skylights. Attached to this hall are also enclosures for the smaller feline species. Like the tiger spaces, these include indoor habitats with hiding spots and direct access to outdoor aviaries on the northern side of the pavilion. The northernmost part of the building houses isolation rooms for the small cats. Thanks to the terraced terrain, the layout of the pavilion could be mirrored along a central north-south axis — meaning that the same arrangement found on the western side also appears on the eastern side. This mirroring increases capacity, allowing for the housing of at least two tigers and at least two species of small wild cats. The technical hall also includes sanitary facilities and a mechanical room for staff. From here, staff can exit directly onto the exterior visitor path, which — as mentioned — encircles the entire pavilion. At one point, visitors can ascend onto the circular elevated walkway. Architecturally, the building is designed in a low horizontal form to harmonize with the tall existing trees on site. The intention was to allow visitors to move gently among the trees on the walkway, “floating” along the terrain and observing the predators in an open and naturalistic setting. The interior space beneath the walkway forms the climax of the circular route. Here, visitors come almost face-to-face with the animals, in a powerful moment of connection. Safety is a critical component of the design — ensured through the combination of wide water barriers, robust safety glazing, guardrails, and reinforced mesh integrated with the aviary structure. This thoughtful design allows for a secure yet thrilling experience, enriched with educational and interactive elements, especially in the sheltered space beneath the walkway — where architecture, nature, and learning come together.

Technické informace

The construction and material selection were approached with full awareness of the existing architectural and natural context of the Jihlava Zoo. The choices reflect not only the specific requirements for housing and caring for wild cat species, but also aim to introduce a new layer of architectural quality and aesthetic value to the zoo's overall character. The pavilion is designed as a single-storey structure, articulating a clear division between indoor and outdoor spaces. The roof is flat, and most of its surface is conceived as an extensive green roof. This not only contributes to improved rainwater management but also helps support the biodiversity of local flora and fauna by preserving the continuity of green areas. The primary structural system consists of precast reinforced concrete wall panels, chosen for their robustness, resistance to wear and tear under demanding operational conditions, and flexibility in spatial arrangement. These panels are used throughout the structure, including the architectural expression of the elevated walkway, which is also constructed from exposed concrete. The raw weight and monumentality of the concrete are visually lightened by patterned front panels on the walkway, featuring a mosaic inspired by the silhouette of a tiger — subtly integrating the theme of the inhabitants into the architecture itself. Supplementary structural elements, such as the frames of safety glazing and aviary net supports, are made of steel. The combined use of concrete, steel, and stone contributes to both durability and expressive material contrast. Stone elements — granite and travertine — are used for cladding in specific exterior zones of the exhibition spaces, enriching the tactile and visual qualities of the visitor experience. Remaining surfaces are finished in a light plaster. The color palette across the building is intentionally muted and earthy, composed of soft pastel tones in shades of yellow, gray, and brown. This gentle tonality creates a sense of calm while blending into the surrounding landscape. It also provides a subtle backdrop that accentuates the movement and presence of the animals, ensuring that they — and not the architecture — remain the true focus of attention.