“Each new situation requires a new architecture.” – Jean Nouvel
‘Architecture for all’ is the motto we often hear from eminent architects. The first subject we consider when this strikes is a barrier-free architecture for physically & mentally challenged people of all age groups. But architecture is a part of us and our surroundings. We’re slowly evolving into sustainable architecture taking into consideration nature, and then there’s ‘architecture for animals’. Animals have been a part of human civilization since the beginning of trade & settlements. This coexistence made it a necessity to consider an architectural aspect for animals too. The purposes of co-existing may have changed during these decades, hence the architecture for these living beings evolved. We’ve listed below some stunning architectural projects depicting best the architecture today for animals-
1. Butterfly Aviary | Projects on Animals
Structure Typology: Zoo
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Built Year: 2016
Area: 230 sq. m
Architect: 3 Deluxe
Butterfly Aviary is an enclosure for butterfly watching in the Zoo at Noor Island. The facade itself is a repetitive pattern derived from flowers relevant to butterflies. The walls of the pavilion are transparent and glazing to emit ample light indoors. Even the roof has skylights that project shadow patterns of the facade on the floor indoors. The interiors are aligned with green islands to create the ideal environment for the butterflies. The pathways running between these green patches allow an uninterrupted flow of pedestrian visitors.
2. Petting Farm
Structure Typology: Animal Shelter
Location: Almere, The Netherlands
Built Year: 2008
Area: 126 sq. m
Architect: 70F Architecture
The animal shelter in the Netherlands is built to look like nothing but a wooden box. The facade is perforated which allows light to percolate indoors. The front portion has two massive solar-powered shutters that open manually or after feeling the morning sun on their skin. The double-height portion inside the box contains the stables and the rest of the portion is divided into toilets and other necessities.
3. Sheep Stable | Projects on Animals
Structure Typology: Stable
Location: Almere, The Netherlands
Built Year: 2007
Area: 400 sq. m
Architect: 70F Architecture
Standing in a very unique curve, this architectural project makes no compromises on aesthetics or being barrier-free for animals. Built in timber and contrasting in glass, the sheep stable designed by 70F architecture in the Netherlands, creates a traditional stable effect indoors with the warmth of the wood with an asymmetrical contemporary facade on the outdoors.
4. Hathigaon
Structure Typology: Residential (Housing for mahouts & their elephants)
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Built Year: 2010
Area: 88 sq. m
Architect: RMA Architects
Hathigaon is a housing project located at the foot of Amber Fort in Jaipur for elephants and mahouts, i.e., their caretakers. The whole site has been designed to contribute to rainwater harvesting creating water bodies around the locality and hence making it feasible to grow vegetation in the surrounding which was to restore the site disturbed by its former use as a sand quarry, which also works in favour against the harsh Rajasthani climate. The Thans (housing units) are planned in clusters with courtyards which create interactive spaces for community living. All the housing units are clubbed with stables for elephants which are semi-open to give the animal a sense of outdoorsy and connected to the indoors for humans to access anytime.
5. Lemur Exhibit | Projects on Animals
Structure Typology: Zoo
Location: Parkville, Australia
Built Year: 2013
Area: 135 sq. m
Architect: Snowdon Architects
The lemur exhibit has a miniature rainforest microclimate created within the enclosure which allows the lemurs to be in their natural habitat even while they are being observed by visitors. The enclosure uses thatch structures to blend in with the natural profile and pathways are lined with stones. All structures are made to resemble nests that are built using recycled timber. Visitors can view from these huts while lemurs play around freely.
6. Elephant House
Structure Typology: Zoo
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Built Year: Under Construction
Architect: Foster + Partners
The elephant house has been designed after a series of observations in the behavior of animals. The climate requirement for their thermal comfort has been adjusted according to this study, such as the sand cladded floor heats to keep the feet dry. The enclosure allows humans to watch these magnificent creatures from overhead while they go about undisturbed.
7. Vejlskovgaard Stable
Structure Typology: Stable
Location: Odder, Denmark
Built Year: 2012
Area: 8800 sq. m
Architect: Lumo Architects
Stables are the oldest architectural infusions for animals in human settlements. The Vejlskovgaard Stable is an architectural project for a home to 600+ milk-producing cows. The stable is located amidst a beautiful hilly landscape. The form is derived from the traditional stable and houses on farms only improvised on the scale and aesthetics.
8. Etable De Stabulation Libre | Projects on Animals
Structure Typology: Barn
Location: Ligières, Switzerland
Built Year: 2005
Area: 470 sq. m
Architect: Local Architecture
The design is in context to the local architecture of the area. The approach was to design a stable within the budget for around 30 animals on the farm. The design concept and material palette are in reference to sustainability. The design forms and asymmetrical roof pattern is however a tint of contemporary modern architecture. It is designed in a way to blend in with the surrounding environment.
9. Banfield Headquarters
Structure Typology: Pet Hospital
Location: Vancouver City, Washington
Built Year: 2017
Area: 22000 sq. m
Architect: TVA Architects & Gensler
Banfield Headquarters is a pet hospital revolving around the pet-human interactive architecture. The structure circulates along a centrally located ramp with vibrant & colorful railing design in animal figurines. The headquarters has barrier-free access of pets to all accounted areas and pet food & hydration stations at intervals.
10. Panda House Observation Centre | Projects on Animals
Structure Typology: Zoo
Location: Frederiksberg, Denmark
Built Year: 2019
Area: 2450 sq. m
Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group
The Panda House is a design keeping in mind the extinction threat faced by the species due to habitat loss. It is designed in two floors connected by a ramp enclosed in a dense bamboo forest. The enclosure opens up visually in many public spaces to the visitors such as a cafe located between the elephant and panda enclosure. The habitat is mimicked to occupy both small and large pandas without the need for adjustments.
