Landscape Immersion – Understanding zoo

space constraints
design in an urban context with

DISSERTATION 2019 | REVIEW 1 | 26.07.2019

Mohideen Fathima S.I
2018802010
M.Arch Landscape | Semester III | SAP, Anna University
// Zoo is a Zoological Garden - public or private park where living animals are kept for exhibition, research, recreation and study
Abstract // Landscape Immersion – Understanding Zoo design in an urban context with space constraints
• “Naturalistic and immersion exhibits—the current state-of-the-art in zoo exhibit design—offer more for the wellbeing of animals, as they provide an enriching
natural behavior setting” (Gibbons, 1994).

• Even though visitors may not get the chance to view animals up close, the landscape as a whole is more pleasing, especially with animals behaving as they
would in their original habitat.

• Landscape design processes provide the means to resolve such conflicts through careful design synthesis that can address animals’ needs and enhance visitor’s
experience.

Problem Statement
1. The zoos today illustrates a ill-defined threshold between man and animal.
2. The current zoo enclosures lack experiential quality, space and are Can the spatial design of landscape architecture
unaccommodating to both man and animal.
3. As a result, zoo enclosures are still a product of previous design paradigms.
become an instrument to convey experience
within a zoological garden enclosure, in an
urban context with space restrictions?
POST - IMMERSION
“THE EVOLUTION”
CONTROL

RESPECT

SOURCE: VISITOR EXPERIENCE IN ZOO DESIGN: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR GIZA ZOO (pdf)
Animals ------ People End of 18th and 19th century: Zoos designed as Confinements
Early 20th century: Modernization of Zoos
HIDDEN BARRIER Late 20th century: Zoos designed as Conservation and Education Facilities
Aim & Objectives
This dissertation AIMS at:
 finding the underlying issues and challenges in the design of a zoo enclosure in an urban environment
 researching how landscape design can be used as a medium for design intervention to enhance the experience of zoo enclosures for both the visitor
and animal, in a space constrained environment
 Giving guidelines on how visitor experience can be enhanced - of not only seeing the natural habitat (as in naturalistic exhibits) but also being part of it (as in
immersive exhibits).
NATURE

ZOO
ENCLOSURE
CAGE NATURALISTIC BARRIERS IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS “UNZOO” (SPACE)

Research Questions ANIMALS HUMAN

1. How landscape design can inform the current zoo design principles to
determine a new set of principles, in a space restrained area?

2. How the transformation of current zoo enclosures can be implemented

to support this new set of principles?

3. How can landscape design can combine ecology and aesthetics to

create a interactive experience with nature, animals and humans, whilst
acknowledging historical and cultural significance of the zoological garden?
Methodology
Historical overview / context
An analysis of the physical, ecological and cultural history of zoos in general and specifically the AAZP will
be conducted.
The intentions will be to: Zoo typologies
throughout history
1. establish an in-depth understanding of the character of zoos; (zoo designs)
2. identify opportunities for landscape design response; Animal living
requirements
3. validate the arguments expressed in this dissertation; (comfort)
Existing context of
4. illustrate the significance of the study; and Zoological Gardens
in India
5. establish baseline knowledge of the study area.

Literature Review
Literature studies will be conducted on the following subjects in support of the argument:
1.Theoretical issues general to the discipline of landscape architecture. Landscape design will guide spatial,
regenerative and ecological initiatives by means of a theoretical and practical approach.
2.Theoretical issues specific to zoological garden design. SEQUENCE……
COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW – ON
Case Studies ZOO DESIGN
 Examples of local zoo enclosures will be critically analyzed in order to establish current typological
characteristics, both positive and negative. SPACE CONSTRAINT ISSUES IN ZOOS AND HABITAT
REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC ANIMALS
 International examples of zoo design will be discussed to illustrate global trends, theories and design
CASE STUDIES WHERE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS HAVE
approaches. BEEN PROVIDED AND EXPERIMENTAL THEORIES
HAVE BEEN PROPOSED
Quantitative and qualitative field research STUDY ABOUT VANDALUR ZOO - ITS HISTORY,
 The current conditions of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park - Vandalur Zoo (AAZP) will be analyzed in SPACE ISSUES, HABITATS AND PROPOSE
relation to its existing enclosures, animal catalogue and experiential value. GUIDELINES

 Current site problems, opportunities, informal interviews and brief behavioral analyses of certain SUGGEST GUIDELINES AND SOLUTIONS IN A
animals will be used as conductive material. GENERAL CONTEXT
 Primary Study Area – Arignar Anna Zoo Case Studies
MADRAS ZOO (1863 – 1985) CASE STUDIES HAVE BEEN CHOSEN EITHER FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLL.
CRITERIA:

1. Similar area
2. Similar theme
3. Similar animal species and habitats within zoo
4. Good practices and innovative solution

LIST OF CASE STUDIES:

National case studies:
1. Bannerghatta zoo -------------- Bangalore
2. Aringar Anna zoo --------------- Chennai
3. Sri Chamarajendra zoo -------- Mysore

International case studies:

1. Singapore zoo----------------- Singapore (Appreciated for the variety of species)
2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom - Orlando, Florida (a mix of good and bad)
3. Park Zoologique de Paris -- France (heavily criticized)
4. Zootopia ----------------- ----- Denmark (unbuilt, innovative)

AAZP (1985 – present)

1. Tracing the History of AAZP
2. Reason and factors for shift from Park Town to Vandalur
3. Study of important animal habitats (found in AAZP)
4. Space constraints – CHALLENGES?
- CURRENT SITUATION?
- SOLUTIONS?
- FUTURE PROPOSALS?
5. What can be inferred? ZOOTOPIA // PROPOSAL
Work Schedule
A. Introduction & History
• What is Landscape Immersion?
• Animal Keeping and its History
• Development of Animal Exhibits
• Naturalistic exhibit design
• Immersive exhibit design NEEDS TO BE REFINED
B. Behavior and Exhibit Study
• Human Behavior
• Animal Behavior and Exhibit Study
• Naturalistic Exhibits
• Design Elements important to consider for Immersion Exhibits

}
C. The Role of Landscape Architecture
D. Space Issues
E. Study of AAZP NEEDS TO BE NARROWED DOWN FURTHER
F. Case Studies
G. Inferences and Conclusion
 Importance “In a rapidly changing world, zoos are in danger of declining into irrelevance while boasting about great achievements” (Hancocks 2012:2)

 Hancock's (2001:xv) states that “zoos can encourage a new understanding of nature”
 The zoo brings the various aspects of society’s relationship with nature into focus.
 The zoo becomes a physical exemplar of the disintegrated threshold between man, animal, culture and nature. The animal-human relationship can be observed
through the bars of a zoological garden.

Need
 The general spaces that exist within modern zoos are CRITICIZED AS TOO SMALL, and while it may look green, the animals have little contact with living
vegetation that exists within their original habitat.
 The Earth is losing animal species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural rate. Zoos are places which are not just for leisure, and to connect with nature -------- but
also spaces of education and conservation of endangered species

Limitations // What will be beyond the scope? BOARDWALKS ------- SKYWALKS

 Zoo, in terms of design, is a comprehensive entity made up of various disciplines.

 Area of study, w.r.t a single case itself would be very extensive

Challenges
 A deeper understanding and familiarity with animal behavior and requirements needs to be acquired
by the designers
 Understanding role of multiple disciplines including landscape architects, architects, environmental social scientists, veterinarians,
zoo curators, and horticulturists.
CONTROL PEOPLE V/S ANIMALS
Expected Outcomes
The outcome will demonstrate on a spatial level how landscape design can combine ecology and aesthetics to create a hybridised interactive experience with nature,
animals and humans in a zoo enclosure design.
References – Books & Journals
1. Terra Incognita – Evolution of The Zoos,
an overview of significant zoological
developments spanning from biblical
times through to contemporary proposal

2. Kennith J Polakowski – Zoo Design: The

Reality of Wild Illusions

3. Monika Ebenhoh – Evaluating Zoo

Design, the importance of visitor studies
References – Books & Journals
Previous research papers:

• Coe Jon c 2003 “Landscape Immersion

Exhibits & Beyond” in proceeding for Saga
• Coe Jon c 1994 “Landscape Immersion
Origins & Concepts in Landscape
Immersion”
• Coe Jon c 1989 “The Genesis of Habitat
Immersion in Gorilla Exhibits”
• Coe Jon c 1987 “What’s the message
exhibit design” for education in AAZPA 1987
regional conference proceedings American
Association of Zoological parks and
aquariums
• Coe Jon c 2004 “Mixed species rotation
exhibits” prepared for ARAZPA 2004 annual
conference
• David Hancock's 1996 “THE
INSUFFICIENCY OF ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS”
American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Other references Annual General Meeting Seattle, WA
1. www.jonesandjones.com/work/wildlife.html • “Design and Architecture: Third
2. http://designingzoos.com/The Next Zoo Design Revolution? Generation Conservation, Post-Immersion
3. www.designing zoos.com /Landscape Immersion and Beyond
4. www.clrdesign.com/case studies • Environmentalism in Landscape
5. www.jones&jones.com /work/wildlife.html Architecture” edited by Michel Conan
6. http://designingzoos.com/animal-of-the-month • Jungles of Eden: The Design of American
7. http://www.zoolex.org/about.html Zoos Jeffrey Hyson