Rákos Pavilion

Rákos Pavilion was created on the site of small bird exhibitions from the 1930s. The breeding of exotic birds has a tradition here that has lasted for 88 years. The narrow space at the foot of a steep slope was destined for an extraordinary design.

"We won the architectural competition announced by Zoo Prague in 2012 with a design that respects the site, creates a rich composition of exhibits, offers a surprising visitor experience, and excellent conditions for the keepers," says architect Pavel Ullmann.

Architecture is often characterized either by professional terms such as functionalist, brutalist, postmodern, or by adjectives like innovative, imaginative, and monumental. The term "appropriate" is not often heard. However, it is entirely fitting here. Architecture from the AND studio is such, functional, informal, and subtly unobtrusive, blending well into the surrounding nature.

The moderation of Rákos Pavilion conceals many unique features. The building is hidden deep behind a stone wall that resembles the surrounding vineyard terraces, as if it had stood here forever. The designed biotopes are entirely authentic, not only due to their inhabitants but also because of the species composition of plants, beautiful scenic paintings, and the selection of corresponding rocks. From a breeding perspective, the pavilion is unique due to its bold combination of botanical and zoological exhibitions, which do not disturb each other. Additionally, thanks to the sliding glass roof, the indoor exhibits can become outdoor, allowing parrots and plants to access direct sunlight and rain from the safety of the pavilion's interior.

The pavilion is named after Stanislav Rákos – an aviary keeper and parrot lover, who made an exceptional financial donation to Zoo Prague. The parrots bred in the pavilion are so valuable that their worth may even exceed that of the building itself; therefore, the house is also exceptionally secured against theft as well as predators.

The building is exceptional also for its zoogeographic approach. The unifying theme of the exhibits is primarily parrots from various corners of the world. Each of the individually staged exhibits, however, also has a faithful composition of the entire specific biotope. This is thanks to the close collaboration of curators, gardeners, artists, and architects. Inside the pavilion, there are eight different exhibits – two aviaries, one of which is walkthrough, an indoor tropical greenhouse accessible to the public, and five peek-through exhibits.

The elaborate scenic concept of the pavilion draws visitors into a fun, educational, and above all, adventurous journey through the avian realm across four continents. The path through the pavilion takes visitors to various types of Asian rainforest, to New Zealand, to the Brazilian Caatinga, into open and closed spaces, from light to darkness, through dry and wet biotopes, semi-deserts, and rainforests. The journey culminates in a second walkthrough exhibit, this time outdoors. At the exit, visitors will find a resting area with a bench and two original aviaries of Professor Janda – the founder of Zoo Prague. These represent the historical legacy of our ancestors, on which today's architecture builds in many ways.

The layout of the pavilion was founded by the architects on visitor and caretaker operations. Visitor traffic is one-way; one walks through a dark corridor, from which the well-lit exhibits are clearly visible. The operational and breeding spaces are always two exhibits apart, serving the specific purpose, and end rooms are designed as food preparation areas and staff facilities.

Numerous technological devices serve these purposes. Ventilation is mostly natural, using the chimney effect. The wall heating utilizes the large areas of the back, curved walls, and artificial rain complements the watering to humidify the air. Artificial lighting is only used for cleaning and during the winter months when the tropical plants would not receive sufficient sunlight. Water surfaces with vegetation are supplemented with treated and heated utility water.

The architects from AND subordinated everything to the proper function that the building is to fulfill. On one hand, the pavilion is an environment for rare animals, which need suitable space, sunlight, shade, and appropriate nesting opportunities. However, the building is also a demanding workplace for curators and keepers and must serve as a scientific and caregiving facility with veterinary operations. Last but not least, the building is a scenic presentation of animal species, whose main function is to teach the visitor a love of nature.