The Berlin Zoo welcomes two major attractions with Meng Meng and Jiao Qing. How exciting and challenging has focusing on the pandas been for you since receiving confirmation in autumn 2015 to the opening of Panda Garden?
Even if pandas are indeed reserved animals, the last few months have been really labour-intensive for us. It was only twenty months from the time China first made their announcement to the opening ceremony in July. In retrospect, we probably underestimated the amount of work involved. Some challenges only first presented themselves during construction of the over 5,000-sqm panda exhibit.
What makes Panda Garden so special? Why will the pandas do well here?
We came up with a lot of ideas for our pandas and together created a beautiful exhibit. With an idyllic stream, climbing trees, swings and, of course, bamboo – the pandas will definitely like it here. With Panda Garden and its Chinese pagoda-style buildings, we are bringing a bit of China to the heart of Berlin.
Why was dan pearlman the right partner for the project?
We can look back on a very long and extremely successful partnership. As a result of working together for over twenty years many things only require brief consultation. We no longer have to explain every aspect in detail. Moreover, their impressive work with the panda exhibit at Everland in South Korea was already proof they’re capable of designing truly outstanding dwellings for pandas.
