Allwetterzoo Münster

Concrete zoo
The new zoo is located a few kilometres from the old site (1875), five times larger and showcasing the same animals in a completely concrete zoo.

Source: architecturdatenbank

Especially in the early phase, when there was not much greenery, the typical seventies concrete looked clean. You can still recognize the applied geometry.

• the zigzag in paths, frames and water features;
• the pattern of an egg carton in the concrete ceilings;
• white columns like a row of upright piano keys in the walls of the buildings subtly filtering the incoming light;
• polygonal shapes, diamonds and triangles in wooden panelling
• quite a bit of symmetry

The multiplication of these shapes looks good. The original metal fences as well.

On May 2, 1974, architect Bernd Kösters hands the keys to the new zoo over to chimpanzees Max and Moritz who, in turn, pass them on to managing director Helmut Reichling. The new Westphalian Zoological Garden attracts 50,000 visitors on its opening day.

Concept of the zoo
The emphasis is on surroundings that mimic the animals natural homes as closely as possible and on bringing visitors as close to the animals as possible.

A lack of initial orientation occurred. The map at the entrance was hanging on the wrong side and the whole trail around the park was incidentally not what you'd call intuitive. The meerkat exhibit is seemingly integrated in the white rhino enclosure, designed in the colors of the meerkats themselves, with stones, sand and woodchips. And glass.

After such a lockdown, a car ride to the Münster zoo feels like a holiday. Visitors with an online ticket do not pass the counter where the map is for sale for 20 cents, so we walk back. The mouth mask policy is clear and everyone follows it. Starting at the Aquarium where the term egg carton ceiling comes to mind we enjoy the sunny outdoor route to the right. Just like in other concrete zoos, vegetation has to work the grey out of the picture. As long as the long lines, geometry, and egg carton patterns remain visible, fine by me. Concrete or rust damage in various places, but also modernization in the form of insert windows with rocky frames. The grey seal enclosure probably needed a lick of paint but now looks better in a black and white photo 😉 The lion house proves that natural light works! Due to corona, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has supported the zoo by €800,000. Good thing, too.