PROJECT 345

"PANDA HOUSE"

Big - Bjarke Ingels Group

The new home for the giant pandas Mao Sun and Xing Er is located in the Copenhagen Zoo and recreates the panda's natural habitat in a peaceful living environment for one of the rarest mammals in the world.

The two giant pandas have settled in the Copenhagen zoo since they arrived from Chengdu, China, last spring. This was a gesture of goodwill from the Chinese government after His Majesty the Queen of Denmark's visit to the country in 2014. As one of the oldest zoos in Europe, Panda House has 4,950 m2 and creates a harmonious indoor and outdoor garden. the two pandas move freely and have the ideal conditions for mating, which is one of the main challenges of unprotected species. Created by BIG, Schønherr Landscape Architects and the MOE's lead engineer, Panda House is the result of numerous workshops with panda experts, zoologists and veterinarians.

“Thanks to the generous donations from 16 leading Danish companies, we have been able to build a panda facility that will become an international landmark. We have had animal breeders, zoologists and veterinarians on study trips to China and have been working closely with Chinese experts since 2010. Also, we have a bamboo plantation here in Denmark, especially for the pandas. Many exciting, fun and educational experiences await us with both pandas - and I know that both we and our guests look forward to it.” Jørgen Nielsen, CEO of Copenhagen ZOO.

The Panda House is made up of the lonely nature of its residents and its immediate surroundings including the central square, the Nordic area, the monkey house and the elephant house. The circular house of Mao Sun and Xing Er is divided into two isolated areas that represent the yin and yang symbol, thus creating a free and as naturalistic environment as possible for the relationship and life of these giant pandas.

“Architecture is like portraiture. Designing a home for someone is like capturing its essence, character and personality in built form. In the case of the two large pandas, their unique solitary nature requires two similar but separate habitats - one for Mao Sun and one for Xing Er. The habitat is formed as a giant symbol of yin and yang, with two halves: the masculine and feminine sides complement each other to form a single circular whole. Curved lines are wavy in the section to create the necessary separation between him and her - as well as between them and us. Located in the heart of the park, we have made the entire enclosure accessible at 360 degrees, making both pandas the new turning point of the Copenhagen zoo.” Bjarke Ingels, BIG's founding partner and creative director.

Both pandas and visitors hardly notice the division: the enclosure is elevated to form stables and other underground facilities, hiding them and integrating them into the landscape. Raising the earth at both ends of the yin and yang symbol creates an undulating landscape that allows a direct view of the panda habitat. Meanwhile, since pandas need two safe sight lines to feel safe and comfortable, the diversity of plants, rocks, climbing trees and tree trunks throughout the habitat allows them to retreat, rest, eat or find a shadow while still being visible to the public. There are various water features such as basins, streams and waterfalls that serve to enrich and refresh residents during the summer. The visitor experience runs along the perimeter of the enclosure and downhill paths to gain insight into the work of zoo staff, veterinarians and gardeners.

“We study the social and behavioral needs of giant pandas: In addition to the mating season, pandas are lonely by nature - male and female pandas need to be separated from each other to not smell, hear or have physical contact. Taking the literal interpretation of the yin and yang symbol, we share the circular location to create separate and harmonious homes for male and female pandas, which can be flexibly mixed during the dating season. Overall, Panda House was designed to look like humans are visitors to the panda house rather than exotic guests from faraway lands,” said David Zahle, Partner, BIG.

Panda House has two levels: a ground floor with a small Franco-Asian restaurant PanPan for visitors to dine while watching the pandas and the elephants, and an upper floor with native Nordic plants as well as a path to the bamboo forest. All interiors are designed to have eye-level landscape, creating an immersive experience with wildlife and nature on both sides.

Panda House vegetation and landscape recreates the natural habitat from mammals, placing bamboo pieces scattered everywhere. Pandas should be able to find shade and sunshine, as well as water and foliage. With the creation of two forests, one dense and hazy and one of light green bamboo, Mao Sun and Xing Er have the ability and agility to explore both landscapes according to season, temperature and preference.

Panda House Facts

Name: Panda House

Size: 4,950m2

Location: Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark

Collaborators: Schønherr, MOE

Pictures: Rasmus Hjortshøj

Client: Copenhagen, Zoo