Does architecture, more specifically human-made architecture, have to be limited to a human-centric product? What can human architecture do for other species, nature and life? For aeons, built environments have been catering primarily to human needs; their intersection with nature and the natural world, however, is inevitable, even if passive. China-based multidisciplinary architecture studio ZOO Architects, with an intent to express its reverence for nature in their creations, laid the groundwork for an ongoing study about animal habitats—their first clients are otters.

The Otter House project by ZOO Architects explores innovation in the largely uncharted sphere of animal habitation—expanding the role of architecture beyond conventional notions. Chosen as the first species, otters are through the project studied thoroughly to devise bespoke shelters addressing their specific needs. A range of housing prototypes mirroring organic forms and utilising natural materials such as rock, earth and hay partake in the unique endeavour. “While architects possess skills such as keen observation, creativity, and project implementation, research in the realm of animal behaviour and habitat is equally crucial. Therefore, leveraging insights from complementary disciplines becomes imperative in this context,” the design team tells STIR.

Founded in 2018, ZOO Architects is based in Shanghai and Tianjin, China, with offices in London, UK. The architecture practice works towards providing solutions in the realms of urban design, architecture, interior design, master planning, branding, graphic design and product design. With people from different professional backgrounds and expertise, the team traverses multiple disciplines. The practice is committed to the core concept of ‘仟物栖所’ (Qiān wù qī suǒ), emphasising safeguarding biodiversity, promoting sustainable design practices and the harmonious coexistence of human and nature. “We hold the belief that akin to human civilisations, the evolution of residential dwellings has been a prolonged journey; humans have often embraced these changes passively, yet with shifts in the environment and technological revolutions, our dwellings have evolved continuously,” the Chinese designers share. “Similarly, the habitats of otters undergo dynamic transformations. Predicting the exact nature of their future residences surpasses anyone's ability, and this evolving landscape is a necessary consideration for the systematic design of this field,” they add.

The project rests on the foundations of thorough research about the target species. The designers delved into the characteristic traits of otters apropos of their social inclinations, behaviours and environments. Otters are observed to be highly social and monogamous beings that live together in families or groups typically involving a pair of adults and their offspring. The agile and intelligent creatures communicate with each other through sounds, postures and odours. From rivers and lakes to marshes and oceans, otters can adapt to a variety of environments. Their preferences, however, are freshwater habitats with slow-moving water, high clarity, sparse aquatic vegetation and ample fish. Since they are top predators, their presence in these ecosystems is an important indicator of environmental health factors such as pollution and river water quality.

With this understanding, the designers proceeded to meticulously craft housing prototypes for otters, all taking cues from organic forms abundant in nature; the four shelters take after the silhouettes of a fish, a frog, a bear and a turtle respectively. “In this pursuit, the pioneering spirit of Antoni Gaudí has been our guiding light. We deeply admire his organic design approach, which instilled confidence in us during moments of uncertainty,” the Chinese architects tell STIR. With otters as the foremost clients, the prototypes are built to align with their unique preferences and habitat requirements. The scale of the shelter is carefully chosen to accommodate a family group of otters—providing space for social interactions in tandem with privacy. Materials such as authentic Taihu stones, hay, rock, black soil and red clay come into play in the realisation of these homes. The natural material palette is buttressed by environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials such as concrete, concrete mortar and waterproofing layers to enhance the comfort, suitability and durability of the shelters.

Due emphasis is given to the contributions of the project to the surrounding environment—ensuring that the human-made interventions enhance the context as opposed to weakening it. This quality can be observed in the rock bases that accompany the otter homes at regular intervals in the water. Installing these connecting bases consistently in the ecosystem can slow down water flow, improve soil stability, and promote the growth of microorganisms. This further contributes to natural water quality purification of river channels, maintaining ecological balance and achieving biodiversity. The designers worked with the intricacies of nature and the interconnectedness of ecosystems in mind. “Focusing solely on individual otter research could potentially impede the holistic welfare-driven approach to design. Hence, prioritising research and understanding of multi-species otter habitat units becomes paramount, underscoring the indispensable role of experts as our key partners in this endeavour,” they explain.

An interesting juxtaposition between the small-scale organic architecture and technology aims to optimise the habitat further. In the territory of the otters, various constructed units serving as tiny playgrounds are floated on the water's surface. These units, featuring surfaces made of concrete and silicon, are equipped with carbon-based photovoltaic devices that generate electricity during the day and illuminate the area underwater at night. “The inclusion of concepts like 'carbon currency' and animal language translation software in our final presentation underscores their pivotal roles in shaping future projects. Through such measures, we aim to establish a collaborative partnership with otters on a truly equitable basis, nurturing a habitat that accommodates a myriad of species harmoniously,” the design team states.

The avenues of architecture in the human world alone are countless, yet, its relevance does not stop there—the Otter House project by ZOO Architects emerges as one such example. The architects, designers and experts, through profound discourses, diligent research and technical know-how, aspire to delineate a more plural architectural paradigm that defies the conventional notion of concrete architecture. Architecture, in such cases, breaks free from the satisfaction of basic needs and instead pursues rich experiences. With the Otter House project, and their soon-to-be-unveiled investigation of giraffe shelters, ZOO Architects set in motion a venture that not only speaks of protecting the natural environment and its multifarious species but also urges people to contemplate the uncharted gamut of human architecture.