VMA Design Studio, a Bangkok-based firm, has unveiled its groundbreaking design for the "House of Elements," a zoological pavilion destined for the Orientarium Zoo in Łódź, Poland. This ambitious 6,000-square-meter undertaking proposes a seamlessly integrated architectural and experiential sequence. The design masterfully interweaves spatial configuration, ecological efficiency, and narrative depth, aiming to interpret the pivotal role of natural elements in shaping life on our planet. This project marks the second significant development for Łódź Zoo, following the 2022 completion of the Orientarium Southeast Asian wildlife complex, and is currently advancing through the competition towards realization.
A Journey Through Earth's Elements: VMA Design Studio's Vision for Łódź Zoo
In response to an international architectural competition initiated by Holding Łódź, VMA Design Studio conceptualized a pavilion that functions as a continuous, thematic expedition. This journey unfolds through distinct zones, each dedicated to a fundamental element: Earth, Ice, Water, Fire, Air, and Future. Unlike traditional zoo layouts with isolated enclosures, this design fosters a cohesive progression, allowing visitors to experience the interconnections of the natural world. VMA's winning proposal, aptly named "One Seed — A Thousand Growths," is underpinned by a singular, adaptable architectural principle. This principle allows the timber-based structural system to morph and respond to the diverse spatial, environmental, and functional demands across the entire site.
The timber structure exhibits remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning from an inviting entrance canopy to an intricate facade screen, then to a terraced enclosure embracing the sea lion courtyard, and finally culminating in a series of vegetated roof decks and ramps that service the café and aviary. While each component serves a unique purpose—whether for enclosure, shading, circulation, or landscape integration—they all share a unified architectural aesthetic. Furthermore, the project introduces a new public realm, establishing a vital link between the zoo's primary entrance, the existing Orientarium complex, and the newly proposed pavilion. A strategically placed ticket hall, accessible to the public, facilitates movement through the site without necessitating entry into the exhibition areas. A central courtyard, housing the café and educational facilities, is situated outside the ticketed zone, ensuring the pavilion operates both as a destination and a connective hub within the zoo's expansive landscape.
The visitor's journey embarks with a descent into the subterranean Earth zone, followed by a gentle ascent along a continuous spiral ramp, meticulously graded at a 5% slope. This path gracefully wraps approximately two and a half times around a central sea lion pool, forming the architectural heart of the structure. Along this immersive route, guests encounter diverse habitats, including the enclosures for spectacled bears, the Antarctic penguin habitats featuring captivating underwater viewing panels, and expansive manatee aquariums where tanks extend overhead. The upper levels host the volcanic giant tortoise enclosures, sheltered beneath an advanced ETFE canopy, alongside double-height habitats designed for spider monkeys and tree kangaroos, and a canopy-level aviary offering treetop perspectives. The culmination of this environmental odyssey is the Future zone, distinguished by its living moss walls, reflective surfaces, tranquil still water features, and capybara habitats.
Integrated throughout the design are sophisticated material and environmental strategies. The facade is meticulously clad in high-density engineered bamboo, thermally treated to enhance its exterior durability and installed as a ventilated rainscreen. Green roofs extend lush planted surfaces across the building's profiles, reinforcing the organic continuity between the architecture and the surrounding landscape. The Earth zone employs earth-sheltering techniques to ensure thermal stability, while the sea lion courtyard incorporates advanced layered acoustic treatments to mitigate sound within the central space. This forward-thinking design not only offers an enriching experience but also exemplifies a commitment to sustainable and thoughtful architectural practice within a zoological context.
This innovative zoological pavilion represents a significant step forward in zoo design, prioritizing animal welfare and an enriching visitor experience through intelligent architectural integration. The seamless blend of natural elements into a continuous journey offers a fresh perspective on how we interact with and understand the diverse ecosystems of our planet. It challenges conventional zoo layouts, fostering a deeper connection between humans and wildlife while emphasizing sustainable design principles. This project serves as an inspiring blueprint for future zoological facilities, demonstrating that architectural ingenuity can harmonize with ecological responsibility to create truly impactful and educational environments.