Exotic architecture in zoos - should zoos do it properly

[Jurek7]

Zoos have a fashion of exotic and safari themes: psedo-African lodges, Asian temples, Maya ruins and whatever. I think if zoos do it, they should copy real non-Western architecture, not fantastic pseudo-fairy tale. They should also educate visitors what it really is. Is that fake sculpture near Asian elephants Hindu or Thai? And what it represents?

Many zoos don't care, and frankly build terribly tacky. Some might argue that zoo is about animals, and etnography and culture are not important. But an animal lover would be offended if an etnographic museum would show photos of lions and tigers near artifacts from South America, isn't it?

What do you think?

 

[SealPup]

The architecture is meant to evoke, nothing more; indeed as zoos copy one another the aim of zoo arcitecture, becomes to evoke other zoo exhibits more than a distant land. Such as old fashioned camel houses with an Arabian aesthetic.

Though I do think it should be done properly functions mean a zoo elephant house looks like neither a Thai nor an Indian temple, except as superficial flourishes.

 

[Zooplantman]

Zoos need to ask themselves seriously what messages concerning animals, nature and humanity they wish to teach. Exhibits suggesting some wished for ideal of ancient harmony send a message. Exhibits suggesting indigenous people living a Neanderthal existence send a message. Exhibits suggesting Disney's "Jungle Book" send a message. If an exhibit complex is to have bathrooms or a restaurant, there must be architecture which becomes an prominent aspect of the exhibit's message.Should it be themed at all?
How do idealized Balinese temples or Mayan ruins inform visitors about animals' natural behaviors or conservation challenges or evolution?
It ought to be a question asked early in every design process.
Often it is.
But not always

 

[FunkyGibbon]

In the current cultural landscape concepts like the "African Village" or the "Asian Ruin" are increasingly seen as almost rascist. On the one hand there is the argument that they are lazily perpetuating stereotypes, on the other the idea of cultural appropriation.

You may or may not agree with this line of progressive thought, and I'm not really interested in having that argument. However, I don't think this is zoos' fight, and I don't think it's a wise fight to be in.

Amongst Western European zoos the current trend seems to be to strive for extreme accuracy.

 

[animalszoos]

I think exotic architecture is becoming increasingly common in zoos.
Some simple exotic architecture such as a South-East Asian hut or small longhouse as an indoor enclosure for a fairly large mammal (such as a lowland anoa, malayan tiger, sambar deer or javan leopard) does not really need to be done that properly, however in my opinion religious and more complexed examples such as Buddhist temples should be done properly.