UNBUILT ARCHITECTURES 03

Korkeasaari Zoo

By architects Beckmann-N’Thepe and landscape designersTN+

This project won a competition to remodel Korkeasaari zoo in Helsinki, Finland. My first impression of this building is the complex geometry on the island’s edge. The form and shapelessness, pierced with cavities are visual identities of this design. The site involves a large glass-domed entrance, animal viewing building on the island zoo, as well as four biozones: Central Asian Steppe, Arctic Pole, Asian Temperate Forest, and Central Asian Mountain.

Unlike other zoos, this proposal of Korkeasaari zoo has a distinctive structural design. I think that the mystery and uncertainty of the place could well create in real-time environment. This building would engage our deep analytical and creative thinking because its complexity. However, various plans are sufficiently provided for simplicity in this project. Therefore, it would be one of the best choices for our team collaborative fabrication.

Plan1: Entrance Lower Level

Plan2: Entrance Upper Level

Plan 3: Polar bear enclosure

Reference
Fairs, M 2009, Korkeasaari Zoo by Beckmann-N'Thepe and TN+, Dezeen, accessed on 14 March 2009, http://www.dezeen.com/2009/02/23/korkeasaari-zoo-by-beckmann-n%E2%80%99thepe-and-tn/.