DENZOOTY

Designed by: Bo Yoon, Matt Fajkus, William Villalobos Fernandez, Assawin Choochottavorn and Audun Hellemo

The delicate density balance between animals and humans is expressed in the denzooty tower. The design inverts the typical zoo role relationship as it privileges the animals with exceptional freedom, while humans are restricted to contained zones of movement in three different circulation patterns: a dense network of ramps at the base, a viewing moving platform at mid level and a confined perimeter circulation and view/platfrorms at top level. The design organizes an inverse ratio between humans and animals along the height of the tower, where the bottom is heavily occupied by humans and the top is dominated by animals, with a progressive gradient between top and base. The lower levels consist of mostly humans in administrative and gathering spaces, while the upper levels consist mostly of space for animals to roam freely. The base circulation is characterized by a dense network of ramps and planes which provide shelter and nesting for smaller animal species. In the middle zone of tower, the ratio of humans to animals is equal, and the structural density partially opens up to allow more freedom to animals which prefer moderate openness. At the upper levels, the structure opens up entirely to allow for animals which prefer the most freedom. Atop, the ratio of animals to humans is incresed, allowing the few human visitors to be immersed among the animals. The core includes animals.