Allwetterzoo Münster
The Westphalian Zoological Garden in Münster is known as the Allwetterzoo, for the main enclosures can be reached by a covered walkway in any weather.
Observations
Architecture
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.
History
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.
Visit January 2007
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.
Visit September 2020
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.
Zoomaps Allwetterzoo Münster
1 Coatis, brown bears and sun bears
2-3 Sika deer bongos
4 Westphalian horse museum
5-9 Children's and horse park
5-6 Domesticated horses and donkeys 7 Children's zoo 8 Wolves
9 Przewalski horses
10-11 Lynxes and yellow-throated marten
12 Pigs
13 Vulture and red kire aviary
14 Tropical house
15 Biocity, zoo school
16 Birds
17 Kangaroos, flamingos
18 Leopards and tigers
19 Delphinarium
20 Foxes en peccaries
21 Price Alfred's deer
22 Elephants, white rhinoceroses
23 Africa panorama
24-25 Wisents and gaurs
26 Lions, golden cats, flying foxes
27 Giraffes
28 Cheetahs
29 Africaneum: gorillas, chimpanzees
30 Ringtailed lemurs, varis
31 Mandrils
32 Wading birds
33 Seals, penguins
34 ZoORANGerie: orang utans, otters
35 Aquarium
Numbers 2005 vs 2015
- 1974
- Species: 370 vs 334
- Animals: 3500 vs 3054
- 30 ha
- 800.000 vs 976.032
- Concrete zoo
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