Raw concrete roof 1,800 sq ms, resembles the basic structure of a tent.
A Lerman architect
Metalocus
Midbarium introduces visitors to the wide range of desert animals and to the ways in which the animals have adapted to, and survived in the desert climate. This is an experiential animal park of 37 acres that helps visitors understand the movements and behaviours of animals in their Negev habitat. Located on the outskirts of the desert NW of Beer Sheva, it has 100+ species that live, hunt and adapt.
Visitors can explore four desert habitats that naturally replicate the conditions of areas where desert animals live: Arava/Willow, Canyon, Oasis and Savannah, connected by trails and bridges. In these areas, visitors can meet c100 species of desert animals, including white lions, hippos, giraffes, zebras, meerkats, endangered Guinea baboons and Nile crocodiles.
Melbourne recently struggled to cope with 3.5 days at 38c! Imagine how incredible to think of the complex adjustments these animals have developed to survive and even flourish in the desert. And I know the animals have to adapt to the Negev and not vice versa. But do they have enough ponds to lie in, troughs of water to drink and shelters to protect them from the heat?
Midbarium is not a zoo in which animals are kept in captivity and trapped in cages. It is an interactive animal park in which animals roam freely in spaces designed specifically to meet their needs. It is much more than a place to view animals; it is a symbol of commitment to conservation, to education and to preserving the planet’s biodiversity.
The construction of Midbarium was made possible by a $20M grant from the Mandel Foundation, with more funding from Beer Sheva municipality, National Lottery and Ministries of Tourism and Housing. The Mayor stressed the finances were worthwhile; he noted the central role that Midbarium will play in enhancing the Negev’s leisure culture and in attracting families to the southern half of the tiny country.
Visitors can explore four desert habitats that naturally replicate the conditions of areas where desert animals live: Arava/Willow, Canyon, Oasis and Savannah, connected by trails and bridges. In these areas, visitors can meet c100 species of desert animals, including white lions, hippos, giraffes, zebras, meerkats, endangered Guinea baboons and Nile crocodiles.
The park emphasises active learning through experience, research, experimentation and curiosity. It enables a unique meeting between visitors and the animals via walks through desert environments, inter-active games, direct contact with animals and modern guiding methods.
See the issues that worry me, a desert-familar Australian. Visitors will have a full picture of the challenges of the desert and the climate crisis, and their effect on plant and animal life. Deserts are some of the harshest environments on earth. The extreme heat, the constant droughts and harsh climate make it a tricky place for humans to survive, let along any animal species. Clearly many creatures have found ways to thrive in this impossibly rugged environment.
See the issues that worry me, a desert-familar Australian. Visitors will have a full picture of the challenges of the desert and the climate crisis, and their effect on plant and animal life. Deserts are some of the harshest environments on earth. The extreme heat, the constant droughts and harsh climate make it a tricky place for humans to survive, let along any animal species. Clearly many creatures have found ways to thrive in this impossibly rugged environment.
Melbourne recently struggled to cope with 3.5 days at 38c! Imagine how incredible to think of the complex adjustments these animals have developed to survive and even flourish in the desert. And I know the animals have to adapt to the Negev and not vice versa. But do they have enough ponds to lie in, troughs of water to drink and shelters to protect them from the heat?
Midbarium is not a zoo in which animals are kept in captivity and trapped in cages. It is an interactive animal park in which animals roam freely in spaces designed specifically to meet their needs. It is much more than a place to view animals; it is a symbol of commitment to conservation, to education and to preserving the planet’s biodiversity.
The construction of Midbarium was made possible by a $20M grant from the Mandel Foundation, with more funding from Beer Sheva municipality, National Lottery and Ministries of Tourism and Housing. The Mayor stressed the finances were worthwhile; he noted the central role that Midbarium will play in enhancing the Negev’s leisure culture and in attracting families to the southern half of the tiny country.
An oasis in the desert at Midbarium
Mandel Foundation
Baboons, Jerusalem Post
`
rare white lions
Mandel Foundation
Designed by Dutch architect and modern zoo expert Erik van Vliet, Midbarium ranks immersion with the least amount of visible barriers. Zur Wolf Landscape Architects planned the landscaping, aiming at educating, understanding and caring for animals, especially those at risk of extinction. Asaf Lerman Architects provided multi-disciplinary team of experts who collaborated in the architectural design. For example the entrance roof structure, cast in raw concrete, resembles a huge tent structure that welcomes visitors into a cool, shaded space.
Light and shadow project through the veil-like grid, defining the perimeters of the public event space. See the rich range of facilities as it unfolds, including interconnected walkways, kiosks, essential services, shop, amphitheatre, seating areas and helpful touch points. These elements are well positioned near park entrances and exits.
Light and shadow project through the veil-like grid, defining the perimeters of the public event space. See the rich range of facilities as it unfolds, including interconnected walkways, kiosks, essential services, shop, amphitheatre, seating areas and helpful touch points. These elements are well positioned near park entrances and exits.
The concrete expertise of the senior engineer was essential in developing a delicate triangulated grid of roof beams. Narrow passages lead the fresh air through the building's circulation system and it channels fresh air towards the adjacent educational building. Air conditioning, if they ever thought about having it, was avoided by using ecological ventilation, aligning perfectly with the Midbarium's commitment to sustainability.
Asaf Lerman Architects wrote the Midbarium summary, an exceptional park dedicated to fostering environmental awareness on the desert outskirts of Be'er Sheva. Its open spaces replicate various natural elements and display the region's diverse wildlife; almost all of them are desert species, although not necessarily native to Israel. A multiple team of experts from Israel and abroad collaborated on the project, responsible for the architectural design. This project adds to its history of Lerman collaboration with leading international architects on projects including Jerusalem National Museum, Mandel School at The Hebrew University and the Bezalel School for the Arts.
Asaf Lerman Architects wrote the Midbarium summary, an exceptional park dedicated to fostering environmental awareness on the desert outskirts of Be'er Sheva. Its open spaces replicate various natural elements and display the region's diverse wildlife; almost all of them are desert species, although not necessarily native to Israel. A multiple team of experts from Israel and abroad collaborated on the project, responsible for the architectural design. This project adds to its history of Lerman collaboration with leading international architects on projects including Jerusalem National Museum, Mandel School at The Hebrew University and the Bezalel School for the Arts.
.JPG)
14 comments:
This sounds like an amazing place, I am pleased the animals are not kept in cages and that not caging animals has become common because that is so wrong.
This place is so well constructed and most advanced anyone could find for animal conservation
What a very worthy project. Seeing animals in the habitat they should be in is always preferable.
Did you know meerkats were real animals and not cartoon characters. Plus they live in deserts.
Sounds like a great place to keep animals safe. the architecture is very interesting.
It's a great project!
How wonderful Hels, they have water and shelter, a good idea to keep them all safe.
Jo-Anne
I have seen utterly cruel commercials on Australian T.V condemning animal abuse in zoos. The bears and other big animals are locked alone in tiny, dirty cages with chains on their noses and feet. I know the organisation needs money to save the animals, but I cannot watch the horror.
roentare
nod,,,, including facilities for animals heading towards extinction, a hospital for injured animals and a veterinary clinic.
Andrew
if people had seen the so-called facilities that many zoo animals had to live in, they would agree with you instantly. I am not against zoos, but animals are entitled to live in their natural environment or something quite close to it.
Deb
I have never seen a meerkat in my whole long life!
A savannah is a always hot, open, flat plain with dry and rainy seasons. The savannah has slightly more rainfall than in deserts, allowing for a growth of grasses and low-lying shrubs. Perfect for meerkats in Midbarium.
By the way Australia Zoo Qld has a fine mob of meerkats, as does Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo NSW.
diane
the architecture is amazing, if you like rather brutalist style. The kiosks
are great; the essential services are provided for visitors; shops are for tourists; the amphitheatre is for presentations; and the seating/viewing is great.
Irina
the project took longer, and cost more than expected, but the outcome has been worth every struggle. The worst problem was once the terrorists hit the first time in October 2023, all the desert animals had to learn to hide in caves to save themselves from rocket fire. All the workers and most of the volunteers had been called up.
Margaret
water and shelter are key issues, especially since the totally dry months last from April-Oct. Be'er-Sheva has been an oasis in the midst of a semi-arid desert, and the artificial lakes at Midbarium have to be fed through a network of water pumps.
Post a Comment