The House of Elements: Redefining the Zoo Experience Through Natural Integration
Exploring the Elements of Nature from an Architectural Perspective
A design studio in Bangkok has presented an architectural model that departs from the traditional concepts of animal enclosures or habitats. The core idea was not merely to construct a building, but to transform the experience of visiting animals into an interactive journey that simulates the evolution of life on Earth.
A Journey Through the Five Elements
The building, known as the “House of Elements,” is designed to turn the classical elements, earth, ice, water, fire, and air, into a comprehensive educational and narrative experience. Covering a total area of approximately 6,000 square meters, the space makes visitors feel as if they are moving through a continuous natural story, rather than navigating separate exhibits.
Design that Mirrors the Evolution of Life
The architectural path of the building is based on a continuous movement of descents and ascents, reflecting the stages of life’s evolution on Earth in a visual and experiential way. This approach gives visitors a deeper understanding of the relationships between natural elements and transforms a visit to the park into a holistic educational experience that goes beyond the traditional format of zoological exhibits.
An Immersive Journey Through the Elements
Upon entering the pavilion, visitors embark on an educational journey underground, moving toward the heart of the Earth, and then gradually ascending through areas representing ice, water, and fire, up to air. Each section is designed to interactively demonstrate how these elements have contributed to shaping life on our planet, with animals presented as living symbols of this ongoing natural process.
Modular Design as an Educational Tool
A standout feature of this design lies in the use of a single core architectural structure that branches out and adapts to the needs of each area. This approach can be likened to a single musical theme that evolves and transforms throughout a symphony, allowing the building to appear as a cohesive unit despite the diversity of spaces and functions.
Integration of the Building with Nature
The exterior façade reflects this modular approach, consisting of wooden elements rising like large vessels, covered with green surfaces that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This design accommodates various needs such as enclosures, shading, movement, and landscape integration, while maintaining a sense of overall harmony, presenting the building as a unified educational and experiential entity.
Diverse Animal Habitats
The animal habitats highlight remarkable environmental diversity, with each area reflecting the nature of the element it represents. For example, giant tortoises inhabit volcanic terrain with elevated pathways suited to their size and movement needs. Capybaras are located near walls covered with living algae and plant sculptures, while the enclosures for sea lions offer a completely different experience. The central garden is connected by a spiral walkway linking the various environments, maintaining the character of each element without sliding into theme-park-style displays.
Connecting the Building to the Public Realm
The designers’ vision extended beyond the building itself to its broader context. The project creates a public space linking the park’s main entrance with the existing Orientarium complex, in addition to the new pavilion.
Multi-Layered Design
The design incorporates planted surfaces and slopes serving multiple elements such as cafés and bird enclosures, adding different experiential levels both inside and outside the building. These multiple layers not only enhance aesthetics but also contribute to a rich educational and interactive experience for visitors, seamlessly connecting nature and architecture in a coherent way.
Humans as an Interactive Element
The design represents an innovative approach to integrating visitors into the educational experience. Here, humans are not seen as passive observers walking through enclosed pathways, but are included as part of the building’s evolutionary narrative. This approach reduces the sense of barriers between humans and nature, while fostering a deeper understanding of our place within the ecosystem and the relationships between its various elements.
International Competition Standards
The announced competition attracted global attention, requiring architects to submit their proposals before the December deadline. These submissions included concepts for how the building would integrate with the park’s landscape, along with three floor plans illustrating the different levels of the interior pathway.
Victory with a Universal Design Language
The Thai design studio’s first-place win in Poland reflects its ability to apply a universal design language. The natural elements emphasized by the project—earth, water, fire, ice, and air—are concepts easily understood by any visitor, regardless of cultural background, making the experience accessible and consistent on a global scale.
The Façade as a Narrative Element
From a visual perspective, the façade stands out as a central element that captures attention. The wooden panels provide a clear rhythm and texture, while the green surfaces cover the transitions between the building and the surrounding landscape. This biophilic approach is not used merely for decoration but as a fundamental architectural strategy, making the building appear as a natural part of the Earth rather than an imposition upon it.
Architecture as a Storytelling Medium
The project represents a shift in the philosophy of zoo design. Contemporary zoos are no longer limited to displaying animals; they have become platforms for telling stories about conservation, evolution, and the interactions between species. In this context, architecture serves as the framework that transforms these concepts into a tangible experience for visitors.
A Comprehensive Understanding of Elements and Environment
VMA’s design demonstrates a deep understanding of how to integrate natural elements and the built environment to provide a complete educational and interactive experience. By combining the architectural pathway, animal habitats, and biophilic façade, visitors can grasp the relationships between elements and nature in a coherent and seamless way.
Extending the Park Experience
The “House of Elements” represents an extension of the Orientarium complex, dedicated to Southeast Asian wildlife, and is the second major development at Wrocław Zoo in Poland. Together, these projects reflect a shift in the concept of zoos; they are no longer merely spaces for displaying animals, but integrated educational and experiential environments that combine architecture, nature, and scientific ideas.
A Deep Interactive Experience
Upon the pavilion’s opening, visitors will undergo a comprehensive journey starting from the Earth, passing through ice and fire, and culminating with air, while perceiving the relationships between the fundamental elements of life. This journey goes beyond observing animal habitats; it helps visitors understand the natural forces that make life on our planet possible, creating a lasting impact on their visit experience.
Enhancing Design Ambition
This project demonstrates a level of design ambition focused on integrating education, interaction, and natural beauty into a single experience. Such approaches highlight the importance of innovation in modern zoo design, where architecture can serve as a tool for deeper understanding of nature and more engaging visitor experiences.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
Although the House of Elements presents a novel approach to integrating architecture with natural elements and visitor experience, certain aspects raise important questions regarding practical implementation and design philosophy. On the positive side, the project provides an architectural and experiential understanding of the relationship between natural elements and the visitor’s path, while demonstrating a clear commitment to integrating the building with its surrounding environment.
However, several potential reservations emerge. First, relying on a single, continuous pathway may limit the building’s flexibility in accommodating future needs or changes in animal habitats or educational programs. Second, the structural and architectural complexity could make long-term maintenance and sustainability more challenging, particularly when dealing with planted surfaces and biophilic façades. Additionally, the intense focus on narrating the journey of natural elements may reduce the ability to adapt spaces for different educational experiences or multiple visitor groups simultaneously.
From an architectural perspective, the project offers a valuable opportunity to study how architecture can serve as a medium for interpreting natural and environmental concepts. Nevertheless, balancing experimental ambition with sustainability and practical flexibility remains a critical challenge, making the House of Elements a significant case study for designers and researchers in contemporary zoo design.
