EID Architecture Crafts Open-Air Panda Pavilions in Chengdu, China

Chengdu National Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center, known to be the world’s principal research institute on panda preservation, has recently completed a significant campus expansion in a national forest park in Chengdu, China. Designing the project is Ping Jiang at EID Architecture, who imagines four panda pavilions that house, study, and showcase the Giant Panda. Each year, millions of visitors are invited to catch a glimpse of the bear species endemic to China.

The four open-air courtyards serve as a playground for the bears while providing an unbroken connection with their natural habitat. Offering clear views into the enclosure, visitors are invited to explore a unique experience blending science, education, art, and entertainment. Aside from the open-air section, other semi-open, and fully air-conditioned zones are also offered for both humans and bears including panda activities and living quarters as well as staff administrative offices and supporting facilities.

“The design of the panda pavilions concerns the integration of human experience, architecture, and the environment. It is intended as a convergence of architecture, landscape, and land art. While the project provides a pedestrian-friendly navigation experience for the visitors, it prioritizes an animal-friendly environment to minimize the alienation of ecology, promoting biodiversity conservation,” says Ping Jiang, Design Principal of EID Architecture.

Outer facades feature pressure-treated cedar wood panels and cast-in-place concrete walls while water nozzles spread a calm mist to provide a panda-friendly temperature and humidity. 55 percent of the building also utilizes natural ventilation to lower the construction’s environmental footprint.

Elsewhere, Blue Bottle Studio opens in Kyoto.