This free forming cantilevered wooden roof, in the shape of a tortoise shell, is the heart of the elephant enclosure at Zurich Zoo. Markus Schietsch Architects succeeded in creating the ideal natural habitat for the elephants. They now enjoy lush vegetation, a waterfall, and a mud bath to wallow in when they need to cool down.  Texlon® ETFE was selected as the perfect technology for the 271 skylights, as it satisfied both the creative ideas of the architects, as well as the structural requirements. 

Texlon® ETFE allows visible and UV-A light to pass through unfiltered, which is essential for plant growth. A positive by-product of the light transmission is the bactericidal effect, a natural phenomenon that kills bacteria, allowing plants to thrive without the need for pesticides. 

The project has two further important technical features. In order to effectively minimize thermal bridging in the roof structure, a thermally insulated base cap was incorporated into the aluminium frame. Also, the strict hail resistance requirement (class 4) required the implementation of a separate protection layer of foil to protect the three layer Texlon® ETFE cushion system in the event of an extreme hail storm.

Our early involvement enabled us to advise on the optical and thermal properties and to coordinate the aesthetic, economic and technical requirements to create a fitting home for these majestic animals.