Animal Park

“Zoos are nothing but exhibition spaces showcasing their animal collections, with a focus on charismatic megafauna,” says Romina Rems. Her ‘Animal Park’ project, a proposal to reimagine zoos, takes the form of a handmade book divided into two sections. The first tells the history of zoos and analyses them as a concept, a designed space, and an institution. The second explains how the Animal Park concept would transform an existing zoo space into habitats and functioning ecosystems for locally endangered animal and plant species. The park would also act as a local biodiversity knowledge hub, promoting conservation and education. As a proof of concept, the book applies the ideas to a possible transformation of the Amsterdam Artis zoo.