Dochodo 'Zoological' Island Designed by JDS Architects
on 26/3/10
Like something from the film Jurassic Park, JDS Architects have created the concept of a utopian zoological island just off South Korea. Isolated, with little infrastructure, and very few inhabitants or visitors, this undeveloped island has become a focal point for sustainable tourism using an ecological approach throughout its creation.
Dochodo Zoological Island designed by JDS Architects
Despite its previous lack of development, the island of Dochodo is well placed for the major urban cities of Seoul & Busan creating an ideal location for a tourist attraction, whilst the zoo itself is unlike those of old, putting conservation and ecology at the heart of it.
Interestingly, JDS Architects have let the island itself dictate the end use, with the central flat area becoming the home for the zoo, whilst the more rugged mountainous areas lend themselves to an inherent nature reserve, whilst the mid level ground is where the main building complexes will be developed. By creating self-imposed boundaries it has ensured the island hasn't become too over developed, everything over 20 metres has been left wild, and in its natural state.
Dochodo Zoological Island designed by JDS Architects
JDS have also kept all of the infrastructure & mechanics of the island (transportation, energy, water, waste treatment, and building systems) within the developed zones ensuring that the 'green' areas are true ecological havens. The way in which Dochodo Zoological Island has been structured means that each part influences and becomes increasingly dependent on one another; architecture, infrastructure, and landscape integrated into a 'comprehensive ecology of exchange'.
Dochodo Zoological Island designed by JDS Architects
Due to the size and scale of the project, developing the island will take place in 3 stages, JDS Architects also want to push the boundaries further by talking about & encorporating the 'ability' rather than just the 'sustain' aspects of sustainable design.
With the smallest possible footprint, the island's transport will produce zero carbon, whilst energy will be collected from renewable energy sources; solar, wind, wave, and bio-waste, rainwater and waste materials will be re-used (the later as compost or bio-fuel) and biodiversity will obviously be an intrinsic element.
Dochodo Zoological Island designed by JDS Architects
The Dochodo Island is an ambitious project, but with a comprehensive backdrop of large-scale and impressive developments, this is nothing new for JDS Architects. Current projects also include the intriguing Mermaid 2.0 that has caught the eye of trend agencies with its eco-aquatic theme, we particularly like their terrifying, yet awe-inspiring Holmenkollen ski ramp for the World Championships in 2011.
