Tropical pavilion

Idea projektu

The basic design concept is inspired by the environment of a tropical rainforest, specifically the meanders of the Orinoco River and the surrounding hills. The shape of the building is organic, taking inspiration from the symbolic form of a horseshoe. The height of the structure varies depending on the needs of individual animal species and the significance of each exhibition. The building is situated on leveled terrain at the top of a hill within the zoo. The exhibitions are arranged to gradually guide visitors through the space – starting from narrow, dimly lit areas designed for nocturnal animals and both freshwater and marine aquariums, continuing through more open zones for reptiles and insects, and culminating in a bright, freely accessible aviary. The pavilion is designed to ensure efficient access for staff to all exhibits, thanks to a dedicated service corridor. In addition to the exhibitions, the pavilion includes a refreshment area and an educational room. Although these spaces are connected to the main pavilion, they can also operate independently. Due to its shape, the building forms a pleasant, central gathering area. The aviary enclosure is clad with ETFE foil, chosen for its material properties, while the remaining façade is composed of aluminum composite (bond) panels.

Popis projektu

The project site is located in the cadastral area of Brno-Bystrc, on the northwestern edge of Brno, adjacent to the road "U zoologické zahrady," in the direction of Kuřim. The specific area of interest lies on a hill in the southern part of the zoo. The surrounding land is undeveloped, characterized by mixed forest on sloping terrain. The newly designed building is situated on the site of the existing tropical pavilion, located at the top of the hill. The main—and only—access to the pavilion is from the zoo's visitor route. The U-shaped form of the structure creates a pleasant central outdoor area, equipped with benches and a children’s playground, offering a comfortable space for rest and recreation. The pavilion is divided into a public zone and a staff-only area. All animal exhibitions are located on the ground floor. The main entrance is directly connected to the zoo’s access road. From the entrance hall, which includes information panels, visitors enter the exhibition circuit. The tour begins with an exhibition of nocturnal animals, continues through aquariums, reptile terrariums, and displays of insects and amphibians, and ends in a walk-through aviary. From the exhibition circuit, visitors can either enter the central relaxation area or head to the restaurant, which is accessible both from inside the pavilion and via a separate entrance from the outside. Behind the restaurant is an educational room, intended for children's educational programs, team-building events, or other private activities. The main staff entrance is located in the basement level, where all operational and technical facilities are situated. These include animal holding rooms, spaces for veterinary care, breeding and feeding areas, as well as technical rooms and storage areas. This level is connected to the upper floors by a staircase, which leads to service corridors located behind the exhibition spaces.

Technické informace

The primary structural system of the tropical pavilion is based on a steel truss frame construction, which provides the necessary load-bearing capacity and allows for large open interior spaces without the need for intermediate supports. This solution enables a high degree of flexibility in shaping the interior and responding to the specific spatial and environmental requirements of the animal exhibits. Non-load-bearing internal partitions that separate individual rooms and technical areas are constructed from concrete masonry blocks, either 250 mm or 150 mm thick, depending on the functional and acoustic demands of the space. The material palette was carefully selected with respect to durability, maintenance, environmental conditions, and visual integration into the natural setting. The main materials used in the building include: Steel, as the dominant structural material, ensuring strength and long-span capability; ETFE foil, used for cladding the aviary structure due to its lightweight properties, high transparency, UV resistance, and excellent thermal performance; Glass, employed for visual connections between spaces and for selected façade elements, enhancing natural lighting; Sandwich panels, offering good insulation performance and ease of installation, used particularly for enclosing technical areas; Wire mesh, used for secure yet transparent enclosures, especially in the animal exhibit zones; Reinforced concrete, utilized primarily in the foundation structure and supporting walls, providing stability and fire resistance.