Paris-based architects Beckmann N’Thépé have won an international compétition for the completion of the Primorskiy’s new zoological Park, in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

Founded in 1865, Saint-Petersburg zoo is the oldest zoological park in Russia, and like many of other parks across the country, it now suffers from a lack of space, being located in the heart of the historical town centre.

In response, the city has decided to create a new zoo, which will range over 300 hectares, on the town’s outskirts. The project will not only home the animals in better conditions, but will preserve a large stretch of land and implement an environmentally beneficial approach.

It is scheduled for completion in 2014 and will eventually house nearly 480 different species.

For the design, architects Aldric Beckmann et Françoise N’Thépé, collaborating with landscape designers Bruno Tanant et Jean Christophe Nani of TN PLUS, have come up with a concept based on the Paleolithic supercontinent Pangea.

"The project offers a symbolic sample of every continent in an attempt to recreate the illusion of a reunited Pangea within the very zoological park of Saint-Petersburg." say Beckmann N’Thépé.

"The archipelago therefore created will be made of islands representing South East Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, North America and Eurasia, the two latter being linked with each other by the pack ice of the Arctic Pole.

The chosen site enjoys a profuse water supply, and hence is particularly fitted for such an insular organisation of the various environments."

Photography © Artefactory.