dan pearlman, a leading brand and experience architecture group, has been appointed to develop a master plan for the development of Frankfurt Zoo, Germany.
The master plan follows a concept study, Zookunft2023+, which was completed in 2019. The next stage in this comprehensive development is a detailed master plan. This will cover the structural and design aspects of the project as well as the budget and timings.
The project will completely redevelop five hectares of Frankfurt Zoo’s site, across two separate areas in the north-east and south-west of the attraction. The master plan seeks to expand upon the concepts set out in the Zookunft2023+, development framework and create an actionable project plan.
Ina Hartwig, head of department for culture and science, says: “The renewal of the traditional Frankfurt city centre zoo is urgently needed and one of my priorities. In view of the global challenges, the zoo must be prepared for the future and for its task as a centre for global nature conservation. That’s why I’m pleased that we can now start work on a comprehensive master plan based on the concept study and present the results in spring 2024.”
10-month planning period
dan pearlman Group was appointed to create the master plan after a selection process run by Frankfurt Zoo together with the Office for Construction and Real Estate.
It is estimated that the master plan will take 10 months to complete. Christina Geiger, zoo director, says: “During this time, we have to work through a very extensive list of tasks together with Dan Pearlman’s team and the colleagues from the Office for Construction and Real Estate.”
“The first ideas from the concept study must be examined and worked out in terms of urban planning, architectural, constructive, biological and ecological feasibility. For us, the focus is on sustainable animal husbandry, a high quality of stay for our visitors and very good working conditions for our employees.
“The planning of large areas in the middle of a city is always an enormous challenge. The Frankfurt Zoo with its history, but also with its constantly changing requirements for animal husbandry and operation and of course with its special offer for visitors is an extremely complex planning and construction task.
“And the zoo cannot be viewed in isolation. Its new planning must therefore also be considered in terms of urban development and must also take into account future developments, for example with regard to population development, urban climate, energy efficiency and sufficiency. At the same time, it is about working out what is specific, the unmistakable identity of Frankfurt Zoo.
“We have great confidence in Dan Pearlman’s team, whose credentials make it clear.”
Plans will consider animals, operations and visitors
dan pearlman Group’s portfolio includes zoos in Germany and around the world. The firm has created master plans for attractions such as Berlin Zoo and Tierpark, the Allwetterzoo in Münster, Aalborg Zoo in Denmark and the Tashkent Zoo in Uzbekistan. It is committed to the role that zoos and aquariums play in education, research and species protection – as well as being leisure experiences.
Kieran Stanley, CEO and creative director at dan pearlman Group, says: “Dan Pearlman’s model sees the zoo as a unit of three equal building blocks: animals, operations and visitors. In addition to the zoo planners, the project team also includes the relevant trades from structural engineering to building physics, energy and climate experts to building management and urban planning. The project is complex, diverse and of great importance.
“My team and I look forward to the challenge of future-proofing Frankfurt Zoo.”
A key feature of the master plan is to define implementation. Geiger comments: “A master plan that has been worked out will be the ideal basis for further resolutions by the municipal bodies. Ideally, the plan will be structured in such a way that it can be implemented step by step in manageable sub-projects because we want to continue operating the zoo during the renovation and not close it for months or even years.”
dan pearlman Group developed the concept for a new seal, sea lion, pink pelican and Humboldt penguin habitat at Osnabrück Zoo in Germany, called Wasserwelten, or Water Worlds. The 5,000 square metre area opened to the public in July 2022.
Image: Sketch Africa Savannah Concept Study “ZOOKUNFT2030+” © The Logical Zoo
