In a commission for the iconic Givskud Zoo in Denmark, BIG's current proposal "Zootopia" includes an open, cage-free zoo landscape for the animals to roam in that is divided into three zones titled "Asia", "Africa", and "America". Human visitors can then observe and ogle at the animals in integrated structures or at elevated viewpoints, and ideally out of the animals' plain sight.

Despite BIG's optimistic approach in the redesign, a manmade zoo can't fully replace the animals' true natural habitats — no matter how spacious or meticulously replicated.

Check out the current proposal below:

Project statement:  "Architects’ greatest and most important task is to design man-made ecosystems - to ensure that our cities and buildings suit the way we want to live. We must make sure that our cities offer a generous framework for different people - from different backgrounds, economy, gender, culture, education and age – so they can live together in harmony while taking into account individual needs as well as the common good. Nowhere is this challenge more acrimonious than in a zoo."

"It is our dream - with Givskud - to create the best possible and freest possible environment for the animals’ lives and relationships with each other and visitors. To create a framework for such diverse users and residents such as gorillas, wolves, bears, lions and elephants is an extremely complex task.

We are pleased to embark on an exciting journey of discovery with the Givskud staff and population of animals - and hope that we could both enhance the quality of life for the animals as well as the keepers and guests – but indeed also to discover ideas and opportunities that we will be able to transfer back into the urban jungle. Who knows perhaps a rhino can teach us something about how we live - or could live in the future?"

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