Fenceless Habitat

The main goal of this project is to create wide, open habitats for the two tortoises and fenceless zoo for the observers so that they can be as close to them as possible without any interruption of artificial elements. While the periphery of their territories is defined by the existing 10ft-high boardwalk, their border is set by the using height difference of the terrain rather than building an artificial blockage. As a result both the observees and observers can enjoy more natural circumstances of the habitat and zoo. 

Slow-Paced Ramp

The 1:20 ramp does not only allow generous manipulation for its stretch and direction but also lets the observers travel at slow pace like the Tortoises. Upon entering, the ramp is narrow and quickly descends from the boardwalk so that the attention can be focused on the site. After the ramp circulates through the underground museum, it ascends to reach the other side of the boardwalk. The terrain height is carefully determined through its application in three scales of movement: observers, Desert Tortoise, and Galapagos Tortoise.

Natural History Museum

The underground museum exhibits natural history such as fossils of reptiles to imply and remind that Tortoise is one of the most ancient reptiles alive. At the moment the ramp becomes fully submerged under the ground, it ceiling is 8ft-high. As it keeps going downward through the zigzag path surrounded by exhibit walls, it reaches to the main exhibition that is much spacious than the entrance and exit path. Upon exiting through the path, it is exposed to the outside when the ceiling height becomes 8ft again.