New Elephant House at Copenhagen Zoo

This structure is truly an architectural, environmental and zoological wonder.  Using many energy saving techniques, the designers created a habitat more like the wild than any other elephant house.  This is the first time elephants in captivity will spend the night as a herd (as they would in the wild) instead of in individual cages.

“The Elephant House is Foster + Partners’ first zoological building. Inserted into the natural contours of the site, it replaces a structure dating from 1914 and sets new standards in zoological design, providing the animals with a stimulating environment that recreates aspects of their former Asian habitat.”

I’ve always been fascinated by elephants, and this looks wonderful.  Many more pictures via the link.

(via Dezeen » Elephant House at Copenhagen Zoo by Foster + Partners)