Foster + Partners’ design ensures elephants have a happy homeAhouse fit for the King of the jungle will open this week in CopenhagenZoo as Foster + Partners’ Elephant House design is officiallyinaugurated. The etched glass dome will officially open on Wednesdayhaving replaced the original 1914 Elephant house.The new structure aims to restore the visual relationship between thezoo and the park and to provide the Elephants with a stimulatingenvironment with easily accessible spaces from which to enjoy them. Two glass-topped domes apparently rise out of the earth creating asynchronicity between the design and its surroundings and optimisingthe passive thermal performance of the structures. The two areas havingbeen created as separate spaces due to the elephant’s propensity towander away from the main herd thus giving the animals an environmentalchoice. A beautifully latticed design is created by the glass which isfurther enhanced with sporadic detailing resembling fallen petals atopthe glass.Copenhagen Zoo benefits from more than 3,000 animals but the Indianelephants which make up the inhabitants of this new enclosure areconsidered among the most popular. The structure creates new zoologicalstandards in terms of enclosure-design by allowing the elephants tosleep together. A heated floor mimics a section of dry riverbed whereelephants can rest and maintain healthy feet out of mud or water. Waterpools, mud holes and shading objects also allow the animals extracomfort and interest.
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