Natura Artis Magistra

Bureau B+B contributed to the expansion of the Artis Zoo with projects relating to outdoor accommodation for the gibbons, a nest house for the red panda’s, accommodation for the African wild dogs, and a playground. The Zoo wanted to develop and acknowledge their cultural and historical heritage.

Temples became the inspirations for the designs of the gibbons and the pandas. For the gibbons, a red structure was created in reference to the temples in their natural habitat. The red panda´s structure also refers to a temple, although it is constructed with bamboo therefore it is less conspicuous than the gibbon’s habitat. Outside of the renovated monkey and birdhouse, a playground is designed, specifically for toddlers. A large dish serves as a sand box and a ‘humming rock’ is placed that makes special sounds, in addition to a climbing rock and stepping stones.

The African wild dogs are given a new outdoor accommodation, derived from their natural environment: the African steppes. Sand, rocks and a pond create a rough open terrain where they can frolic between the red branches of the dogwood. The African wild dogs reside in the old ‘Wolf House’ which has been is renovated and brought back to its original state: fancy and stately, in harmony with the outdoor accommodation.