Shoushan Zoo --
the Place where Happy Memories Begin
Founded in Sizihwan in 1978,
Shoushan Zoo was relocated to its current site in 1986.
As the zoo created many happy memories among friends and families, it was also gradually marked with traces of time.
In 2021,
the Kaohsiung City Government invited famous architect Mr. Chiu Wen-chieh to interpret the needs of the zoo.
As a rational architect who also values local culture, Chiu speculated on the relationship between humans (the viewers) and animals (the ones being viewed) with his expertise in the exploration of binary and heterogeneous spaces while planning the new blueprint for the zoo.
In 2022,
the zoo's renovation project was initiated with the collective efforts of different parties and became the first large-scale non-governmental project targeting animal welfare.
The new, different Shoushan
The new, upgraded Shoushan Zoo brings you a whole new experience!
Visual transparency and natural lighting and ventilation are combined with many other techniques to create an animal habitat environment focusing on animals’ living habits and welfare.
An elevated promenade runs above the habitat,
providing a unique zoo experience.
It is also an upgrade of the spatial aesthetics and dining environment for the zoo.
Hopefully, the new Shoushan Zoo will create more
happy memories with every one of you!
Family Paradise
An old water park transformed into a sunken water square with four main attractions including the Dryland Spring, Animal Jungle, Misty Chimney, and Tidal Pool.
These four facilities together create a heaven for children to play and have fun.
Skywalk Corridor
takes visitors through the animal habitats via a light elevated corridor.
As you walk past the animals, you can either peep at them through the metal mesh or take a good look at them through the large glass in the sunken pavilions.
All these ways of viewing are an attempt to explore the relationship between how people see animals and how animals are seen, which is a unique experience at Shoushan Zoo.
Land of Freedom
boasts an open mountain-shaped exhibition hall with natural lighting and breeze via the louvers. This provides a friendly space for the residing animals to shelter from wind and rain.
As the chimpanzees are relocated to the renovated outdoor space, they enjoy the spacious environment and its natural boundaries, whereas humans need to enter the iron cage in order to see the chimps. This reversal also carries educational significance in creating an opportunity for reflection.
