Tropical Greenhouse Allwetterzoo

Since 2023, the Meranti Hall at the Allwetterzoo Münster is open to the public and visitors can experience over 15 exotic animal species on different levels. The new hall is Europe's first regenerative tropical greenhouse, operated entirely climate-neutral with geothermal energy. Photovoltaics provide the necessary electricity, and rainwater from the roof is treated, for example, for the irrigation systems for the plants. The transparent three-layer ETFE roof effectively retains warm air while providing optimal UV light for the tropical plants and animals. knippershelbig was responsible for the structural engineering, including the geometry of the grid shell and the cantilevered steel construction of the three-layer, elliptical membrane dome, measuring approximately 68x48m with a height of about 20m.