Dutch architects [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] have completed a sustainable giraffe enclosure for [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], which opens next week.

The architects adopted a “Cradle to Cradle” approach to the design
and construction of the project, claiming the enclosure is the first
such building designed for animals and is the most sustainable animal
house in the Netherlands.

The enclosure, modeled on African coral, has been designed to take
advantage of passive solar heating and natural ventilation and lighting.

Specially designed ‘cuddle walls’ - steel elements heated by the
burning of wood chips - provide warmth for the giraffes without the
need to heat the whole enclosure.

The Savannehuis opens on 8 July. Photographs are by [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Here are further details from LAM Architects:
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Sustainable Giraffe House Opens Doors
On July 8 the mayor of Rotterdam (mayor AbouTaleb) opens the most
sustainable building designed for animals in the Netherlands: the
Savannah House in the Rotterdam Zoo (Blijdorp).

Cradle to Cradle
The Savannah House is unique: it is the first building designed for
animals according to the principles of the sustainability philosophy
called Cradle to cradle. An assignment that fits the ambitions of the
Rotterdam Zoo, where sustainability is on of the key issues. “It forced
us to unite the tensions between the neutral climate requirements
ambitions and that of a healthy climate for the African animals. The
end result gives a special satisfaction’. Says Menno Lam of LAM
architects (Wageningen).

Sustainable shelter & healthy indoor climate.
The accommodation for the giraffe is designed as a “shelter”, of witch
the archetype of the African coral has served as the model. The design
provides a comfortable place for the animals. It also gives them more
living space, for the giraffes are free and can go in and out as the
please. To create a sustainable building with a good indoor climate,
the design takes into account the natural elements: sun, wind and rain.

For natural light and heat so-called passive solar energy is used.
The roof is transparent and the height of the walls is determined for
the best solar potential. Inside but also outside, because even on a
beautiful sunny autumn or winter day, the animals are able to stand at
the north side outside the building and in the sun (see section). On
cold and cloudy days is usually sufficient only to heat the animals
instead of the whole 4500m3 residence. This is possible because the
giraffes can find the necessary warmth ad so called “cuddle-walls”.
The heat that is required for these “cuddle-walls” are woodchips
burned in stead of fossil fuels.
Natural ventilation also contributes to the pleasant atmosphere.
This is possible because the building and the ventilation are oriented
at the most common wind direction. The principle of negative air
pressure pulls the wind trough the building. The annually rainfall of
approximately 330,000 litres, on the roof of the Savannah House will be
collected and used for the thirsty plants in the adjacent building.
Animal welfare
The floor plan is without corners, to provide a relaxed and natural
behaviour of the animals. In this way, they are not able clamp each
other at a corner, the animals can always turn their back on a
approaching conflict an run away. The ‘bulging’ of the facade gives the
animals more freedom. The giraffes will never experience the physical
limits of the building, for the building bends away from them.
Many materials within “licking-range” of the giraffes are applied
untreated. This is to prevent them from toxic substances, witch could
get in through this licking. Where it is not possible to have an
untreated solution a very durable non toxic application is used.
A specially designed “crush” ensures that animals are not to be
stunned by research. In addition, an investigation or operation,
because of this “crush” is quickly and smoothly done.
Summary
The Savannah House, with its specific characteristics, is comfortable
for the animals, user-friendly and energy efficient/effective.
Sustainability is not only reflected in the energetic concept of the
design but also in, plan and materials including untreated wood with
FSC-label and grasses as reed and pressed bamboo. By carefully
selecting and applying the right materials the building is nearly free
of maintenance, convenient for operating costs, but also for the
environment. Less maintenance means even less annoyance for the
animals, the public and less environmental harassment.
Function of the buidling: Giraffe-house and visitor centre
Gross Floor area: approx. 570m2
Gross capacity: approx. 4600m3
Construction: September 2007 – November 2008
Building costs: ca. 900.000,– excl. installations
Client: Stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde, Rotterdam Zoo (__+31(0) 10- 44 31 431)
Datum of Commissioning: July 2009
Design: LAM architects bna
Structural engeneer: CAE Nederland
Wooden frames: Heko Spanten
Buidling contractor: Dura Vermeer Heyma Rotterdam
E-contractor: Electro-Four

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Posted by Brad Turner from dezeen.com