Savannah House, Rotterdam Zoo by LAM architects, Netherlands

savannah house by lam architects in rotterdam zoo exterior building

Savannah House, the green home for Rotterdam giraffes was designed by LAM Architects at Rotterdam Zoo is the first building in the Netherlands that designed for animals according to the principles of the ‘Cradle to cradle’ sustainability philosophy. The philosophy is an ecologically intelligent approach to architecture using and creating materials that will both compliment and restore the planet. “It forced us to unite the tensions between the neutral climate requirements and ambitions and that of a healthy climate for the African animals. The end result gives a special satisfaction,” said Menno Lam of LAM architects.

Designed by LAM architects, the Savannah House is almost maintenance free and uses a majority of recycled or recyclable materials. The structure is also able to collect 330,000 litres of rainwater each year which will be used for the plants in an adjacent habitat. To create heat on cold days wood chips are burnt and specially designed ‘cuddle-walls’ (steel elements with low temperature heating inside) are available for the animals.

The Savannah House serves as a ’shelter’. It is a building full of solar, shade and daylight using non-toxic materials and its height reflects its main purpose as a giraffe shelter. The project is part of a larger transformation of Rotterdam Zoo which has been undertaken for several years which is rearranging the enclosures to create different continents.

The Portuguese architecture design, Mata do Cabo Swimming Pool was designed by Antonio Carvalho and Gonçalo Byrne, Antonio Carvalho Arquitectura e Urbanismo Lda is a swimming-pool and sanitary facilities for the Mata do Cabo Leisure Park at St João... 

The BOH Visitor Center was designed by ZLG Design is located in Sungei Palas Estate Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. The choice of metalwork was based strictly on the need to reduce activities on the construction site. ZLG Design to expedite the construction... 

Designed by IAD (International Architecture Development), the Les Terrasses Cultural is Leisure and Retail Centre that located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Porto Pi is among the wide range of facilities belonging to the group Sacyr Vallhermoso Testa,...