Welcome to the future of zoos! The Masterplan for Frankfurt Zoo is now complete. After several months of work, the city of Frankfurt and dan pearlman Experience Architecture have presented the results for the future development of Frankfurt Zoo.
As Germany’s second-oldest zoo, Frankfurt Zoo has experienced many changes. After being almost entirely destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt post-war. While some areas have been modernized in the last 20 years, other major sections still date back to the 1950s and 1960s. These older areas no longer meet the requirements of modern animal care or the expectations of a contemporary zoo. Therefore, a significant redesign of more than half of the site is necessary for the zoo, founded in 1865, to continue fulfilling its diverse responsibilities.
Building on the 2019 concept study titled “ZOOKUNFT2030+ Development Plan for the Zoo of Frankfurt”, concrete architectural and construction plans were developed to overhaul significant parts of the zoo. The concept study provided the initial framework for a comprehensive transformation of the zoo, with two large areas covering a total of five hectares slated for complete redevelopment. A second phase involved creating a Masterplan to verify, detail, and further develop the concept study, focusing on two key areas in the zoo’s northeast and southwest sections. In July 2020, Frankfurt’s city council instructed the city’s magistrate to create a Masterplan for the architectural and conceptual development of the zoo. The selection of dan pearlman as the partner for this Masterplan was conducted through a bidding process.
Presentation of the Masterplan in September 2024
In September 2024, the Masterplan team, led by Zoo Director Dr. Christina Geiger, the Office for Construction and Real Estate, and the zoo planners at dan pearlman, led by Kieran Stanley, presented the final Masterplan. The plan offers specific solutions to the complex challenges of redeveloping the zoo, with the primary goal of providing optimal conditions for the animals and an immersive experience that fosters understanding of nature and species diversity.
Dr. Ina Hartwig, Frankfurt’s Head of Culture and Science, remarked, “The Masterplan must address the challenge of providing species-appropriate animal care and immersive wildlife experiences on 11 hectares in the heart of the city. It must balance a sustainable and efficient energy concept with the needs of various animal species while ensuring a high-quality experience for visitors and excellent working conditions for the zoo staff.”
Immersive Zoo Design and High Visitor Experience
The redesign outlined in the Masterplan divides the zoo into biomes, such as savannas and rainforests. Visitor and operational areas will be clearly separated. The architecture will take a back seat to allow direct animal encounters, with features like elevated walkways leading through halls and aviaries. A highlight of the plan is a glass tunnel under the hippo pool. Playgrounds, seating areas, and food services will be available throughout the zoo, ensuring year-round enjoyment for the 800,000 annual visitors.
The redevelopment of these key areas will also emphasize the strong connection between the zoo and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (ZGF), which has developed project areas in Africa and South America. The new African sections (Serengeti and Lomami) will be located in the southwest of the zoo, while the northeast will host the South American area, Manú. Energy-efficient animal houses and open enclosures will allow year-round observation of animals, just like in the ZGF’s project areas. Educational elements will help deepen visitors’ understanding and complement the zoo’s educational mission, focusing on conservation.
Zoo Director Dr. Christina Geiger stated, “Our motto, ‘Experience Animals – Preserve Nature,’ leads to two promises we want to fulfill. We aim to bring the fascination of wildlife to life for our visitors. They should immerse themselves in the animal world and discover something valuable. Our goal is to create positive, sensory-rich experiences that leave a lasting impression, fostering a conservation culture based on awareness and motivation to act.”
Masterplan as a Complex Task for Zoo Planners
The architects and zoo planners at dan pearlman worked with the city of Frankfurt’s team to tackle a comprehensive list of tasks. The initial ideas from the concept study were evaluated for urban planning, architectural, structural, biological, and ecological feasibility. The Masterplan focuses on creating future-proof animal care, a high-quality experience for visitors, and excellent working conditions for staff.
Jobst Jung from Frankfurt’s Office for Construction and Real Estate explained: “Planning large areas in the middle of a city is always a huge challenge. The Frankfurt Zoo, with its history and ever-changing demands on animal care and operations, as well as its special offerings for visitors, is an extremely complex planning and construction task. The zoo’s redesign must also be considered in the context of urban development, taking into account future changes in population growth, urban climate, energy efficiency, and sufficiency.”
The newly introduced Masterplan meets all set requirements and now forms the basis for future decisions by city authorities regarding its implementation. Zoo fans can also look forward to the fact that despite all the changes, the zoo will remain open during the renovation, with a phased approach to implementation. With this new Masterplan, Frankfurt Zoo is well-equipped for the future and its role as a center for global conservation efforts.
Background Information: What is a “Zoo Masterplan”?
A Masterplan for a zoo is a comprehensive, long-term planning concept that defines the strategic direction of a zoo over several years. It provides a structured vision for the zoo’s future development, covering spatial and thematic aspects. The Masterplan aims to optimize various areas of the zoo, including animal enclosures, visitor areas, infrastructure, and educational and recreational facilities. This complex task requires collaboration between architects, biologists, zoologists, and landscape planners and must be coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure its success.
