How to protect and maintain the existing DNA of a zoo and at the same time make it attractive and prepared for the future? Allwetterzoo Münster is facing this question and together with the team of dan pearlman experience architecture around Kieran Stanley, the holistic masterplan „Allwetterzoo Münster 2030 plus“ was conceptualized. With this masterplan, the in-situ species protection is actively lived and made experienceable for visitors of Allwetterzoo Münster as a very special leisure destination. The worldwide unique feature of the zoo’s all-weather paths is maintained in the masterplan and conceptualized within the new and all-comprising topic of “climate”. In the future, the zoo will be divided into the three zones of temperate climate, subtropics and tropics. Moreover, the global habitats of the animals of each climate zone are designed species-appropriate and imitate nature as close as possible. As an extension to this, a responsible and sustainable handling of resources was formalized and applied to all resulting reconstruction and renovation works.
At Allwetterzoo Münster, the conservation of biodiversity is transformed into an exciting all-round experience. The new master plan concept 2030 plus leads visitors through three different climate zones on the popular all-weather paths as well as on brand new trails. The three superordinated climate areas are split into further vegetation zones with living conditions that resemble the natural habitat of the zoo’s animals. The visitor experience journey starts in the temperate climate zone, leading to the subtropics and tropics. This thought-through structure maps a journey from north to south, creating a similar experience as if one travels from e.g. Russia to the equator. Furthermore, this zoning allows to show custom adjustments of the animals to their natural habitats along with potential dangers of climate change in a direct connection. To round off the holistic conservation program, the animal population has been assessed regarding to its level of threat. Thus, the masterplan also recommends integrating further endangered species. Zoo director Thomas Wilms reveals: “Visitors can look forward to meeting spectacled bears, lowland tapirs and tree-kangaroos in the near future.” A special innovation inside the zoo is a campus located at the entrance and exit area, specifically making the issues around climate change and environmental threats a subject of discussion. Already today, species protection is a matter of heart to Allwetterzoo Münster and is acted out through initiatives like BioCity and the zoo’s school. The implementation of this internal campus is a key feature of the precise repositioning of the zoo as an educational institution. Moreover, the planners also considered the needs and demands of the younger visitors. The masterplan concludes a range of ideas to design areas to play as well as areas to host a diverse spectrum of events. A holistic analysis of the Allwetterzoo Münster was the fundament to create an energetic concept with the aim to improve the handling of resources in the context of reconstruction and redevelopment works. Regarding all the named aspects, the masterplan will improve the power of the zoo’s attraction significantly. The implementation of the Allwetterzoo Münster masterplan will begin in 2019, starting with three pilot projects: The South American Pantanal, the Asian world of islands as well as the African savannah. Rainer Knoche, chairperson of the zoo’s supervisory board commented on the future plans: “We are very proud to have a holistic concept at hand to guide us through the further development of the successful concept of the Allwetterzoo Münster”.
