Panda Pavilion: A Blend of Conservation and Education
The Chengdu National Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center, situated in a national preservation park near Chengdu, China, recently underwent a significant expansion. Designed by Ping Jiang, FAIA, of EID Architecture, the newly opened Panda Pavilions serve as a research hub for studying panda behavior and activities, while also catering to educational and recreational needs.
Cross-disciplinary Collaboration
The pavilions are designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, serving as a care center for giant pandas. Organized around four open-air circular courtyards, these pavilions provide outdoor spaces for pandas to roam freely while maintaining a connection with nature. Additionally, they aim to educate and inspire diverse audiences by blending science, education, art, and entertainment.
Architectural Integration
Ping Jiang, FAIA, the Design Principal, emphasizes the integration of human experience, architecture, and environment in the design. The pavilions prioritize a pedestrian-friendly experience for visitors while ensuring an animal-friendly environment to promote biodiversity conservation. Inspired by Chengdu’s natural landscape, the pavilions seamlessly blend into the park’s woodland slopes, offering terraced outdoor spaces for pandas.
Immersive Experience
The pavilions are designed to create an immersive experience of exploration and discovery for visitors, integrating habitats for animals with behavioral research labs for scientists. Vertical articulations of wood-grained aluminum fins on the pavilion facades reflect the surrounding bamboo grove’s vertical rhythms. The buildings feature open, semi-open, and fully air-conditioned areas, with approximately 55% of the building area adopting natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Conclusion
The Panda Pavilions at the Chengdu National Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center represent a harmonious blend of conservation and education. With a focus on sustainability, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and immersive experiences, these pavilions offer a unique opportunity to engage with giant pandas while promoting environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation.
