Supporting Cologne Zoo - Thinkproject

Cologne Zoo sits on 20 hectares of land, housing 10,000 animals of 850 species in historical animal housing, one such being Central and South American jungle world, the Arnulf-und-Elizabeth-Reichert-Haus.

An extensive 28-month restoration project was launched for the Reichert-Haus in 2018, aiming to preserve the unique character of the building and restore it to its former glory so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. The building was originally opened in 1899, making it a delicate and challenging project for Cologne Zoo, who wanted to stay true to the original build as much as possible.

Cologne Zoo facts:

10k animals
850 species
20 hectares
€2mil on conservation

Thinkproject’s CONCLUDE CDE software was offered to assist in the project, with project teams being able to take advantage of digitalisation techniques such as the virtual project room- something certainly unavailable during the original build!

Through the use of innovation and digital methods, the Arnulf-und-Elizabeth-Reichert-Haus has been completed on-schedule, fully restored as well as updated with modern requirements for health and safety for guests, employees and animal residents.

Thinkproject was fortunate enough to be able to offer services free for this project and we are delighted with the success.

Lecture and exchange of experiences

From the successful use of the CDE for this project, Cologne Zoo are taking the opportunity to pass this positive experience onto colleagues from other zoos. Thinkproject Key Account Manager Markus Nix joined the VdZ Techniker Conference 2021 in the zoo’s tropical hall to give a lecture on the benefits of digitalisation in construction.

In addition to various presentations on the subject of construction and technology by other guest speakers, his lecture ‘Order in all phases of the construction project – the virtual project space’ covers the advantages of CONCLUDE CDE for zoos in the construction process. With subsequent question and discussion round, participants were able to discuss and share their experiences, the event was rounded off with the new House being inaugurated in a small ceremony by the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Rekers, among others.

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