New Playgrounds for Primates

     Innovative design is pushing to break and bend the boundaries of the outside world from inside enclosures. Integrating the outside indoors connects experiencers to their environment through their senses. Nature indoors presents continuity from the surrounding environment to the built site while also brightening spaces with liveliness. As stated by Laura U Designers, biolific design captures the increase in architecture's mental, physical, and emotional benefits. Green aspects relax and trigger positive brain responses. Not only is this true for humans, but other advanced primate groups also benefit from mindful surroundings. 

    The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska introduces a new way of providing and interacting with their animals. With a remodel underway for the orangutan forest, they are experimenting with how both the animals and the park visitors can be entertained. In this exhibit, forms of touch sensory are implemented between the enclosure and visitor vestibule. Orangutans and humans can play through interactive lights. Patterns and rhythms in the lights may be replicated and affected by either the human or the orangutan (Holland Basham Team). This back-and-forth play presents a fun and exciting game between a park guest and a monkey.

    Holland Basham Team, (2024a).

    Another exhibit that will focus on interactive design is the jungle-themed playground that is separated by glass between the orangutans and kids. The children can climb, follow, and jump with the monkeys. This elevated form of zoo exhibits notes that the animals are not solely for entertainment. Similarly to the light pad game, monkeys can help teach kids and adults about themselves and their ways of thinking and vice versa. The monkeys are also entertained by the people who play with them as an additional plus to the experience of the animal. 

    Looking into the secondary design principles of the new exhibit, immersive plant and rock formations that are better considered for the orangutans' enclosure will promote better living conditions for the animals. The greenery that matches their natural habitat impacts their overall health and well-being. Not only is the animal's enclosure immersed in the regional climate of the animal, but the viewer's side is mirrored in its decoration. The aim is to transport the viewer to the animal's climate to better teach learners about the animal's lifestyle and living conditions. The heightened conditions will also better prevent the zoo animals from getting sick in any form of wellness. Healthy animals only coincide with appropriate and immersive enclosures. 

    Zoo animals' reliance on their enclosure environment can relate to humans in their given surroundings. A person and their mood and health are dependent upon their surrounding environment. The biolific design theory, as described above, can attest to the principles of immersive architecture and natural elements that attract human well-being (Laura U). 

    Architecture and landscape architecture can teach its users when there are implied design techniques that generate its form and function. This zoo can now serve additional functions of teaching and entertaining a guest and can further initiate play and interaction between beings. A visitor at the zoo can reconnect with natural surroundings while learning and playing with intelligent primates. Adding natural and sensory elements to building designs works to better architecture through engagement. As architects begin to think of interactive architecture in a new way, they can begin by understanding foundational human sensory desires for pleasure and enjoyment while also thinking of how this engagement can lead to fuller experiences. 

Citations:

Holland Basham Team. (2024a). Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo Hubbard Orangutan Forest. In Holland Basham Architects. https://hollandbasham.com/projects/omaha-henry-doorly-zoo-hubbard-orangutan-forest/.

Laura Holland Basham Team. (2024, September 6). Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo Hubbard Orangutan Forest - Holland Basham Architects. Holland Basham Architects. https://hollandbasham.com/projects/omaha-henry-doorly-zoo-hubbard-orangutan-forest/.

Laura Laura U. (2023, March). Bring the Outside In: Design for Your Surroundings. Laura U Design Collective. https://www.laurau.com/bringing-the-outside-in-how-to-design-for-your-surroundings/#:~:text=Bringing%20the%20outside%20in%20is%20an%20essential%20component.