Smallest national monument gets new function

The Moeflonstal

At the time the stable was built, ARTIS Zoo wanted to show as many different animal species as possible. The Moeflonstal has a classic layout with the stable in the middle and around it as ‘pie slices’ of accommodation for different species of goats and sheep, including the main resident mouflon. But the stable was rejected. It turned out not to be a suitable workplace according to current health and safety legislation; you cannot enter it standing upright as an animal keeper. So the mouflon stable was transformed into a play area for small children. 

The stable, which was previously painted dark green, has been returned to its original colour of pink after colour research. And archive research revealed that there used to be zinc roofing. This has been reconstructed. A landscape seating edge was created around the building, referring to the flower-like shape of the original animal bed. Another reference to history has been made in the concrete of the seating edge: imprints of the mouflon's hooves. In and around the stable, children can play while parents sit and watch, with a drink or poffit from the Duivenhuis. 

The Duivenhuis

Next to the Moeflonstal, stands the Duivenhuis. This house has had several functions from the inception of ARTIS Zoo. Ornamental and homing pigeons flew out, it has been a hatchery, where visitors could watch birds hatch and it has served as a stable for ratites. An annex even housed a polar bear. And from 1928 to 1943, the public saw ARTIS' first manatee there.

The house was no longer suitable for animals and visitors walked past it. Time to repurpose it: and as a catering point where planet proof poffertjes can be eaten under the historic pergola on a terrace among the plants. Besides the repurposing and restoration, the building has been made more sustainable: the roof and facade have been insulated, the building is off gas and a green roof has been designed.

'An unused piece of ARTIS Zoo has been given new life and the monument has regained meaning in the park. The canopy ensures that visitors can take a break and enjoy the beautiful park in all weather conditions, without going inside,' said architect Thomas Buijs of ATELIERFRONT.

The renovated buildings were designed by architect Thomas Buijs and Marita Bijlsma of ATELIERFRONT, restoration architect Cor Bouwstra and landscape architect Hank van Tilborg. Jan van Schaik came up with the design for the play area.

ARTIS Zoo was recognised earlier this year as a Professional Organisation for Monument Conservation (POM) by the Minister of OC&W because of the management and preservation of its monuments.