Zootopia

Givskud, Denmark

Architects: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group

Location: Givskud, Denmark
Year: 2014

Architects’ greatest and most important task is to design man-made ecosystems - to ensure that our cities and buildings suit the way we want to live. We must make sure that our cities offer a generous framework for different people - from different backgrounds, economy, gender, culture, education and age – so they can live together in harmony while taking into account individual needs as well as the common good. Nowhere is this challenge more acrimonious than in a zoo. It is our dream – with Givskud – to create the best possible and freest possible environment for the animals’ lives and relationships with each other and visitors.

To create a framework for such diverse users and residents such as gorillas, wolves, bears, lions and elephants is an extremely complex task. We are pleased to embark on an exciting journey of discovery with the Givskud staff and population of animals - and hope that we could both enhance the quality of life for the animals as well as the keepers and guests – but indeed also to discover ideas and opportunities that we will be able to transfer back into the urban jungle. Who knows perhaps a rhino can teach us something about how we live - or could live in the future?