Theming and redesign of the Aare-Alpenanlage in the Bern Zoo Dählhölzli, Switzerland

In a time frame of about 6 to 6.5 months we were allowed to completely thematise the new capra ibex enclosure, which is one of the largest ibex enclosures in Europe.

With construction management, art director, set dressers, welders, concrete builders, modellers and illusion painters, a high degree of attention was paid to a true-to-nature appearance. That means that sometimes already created formations and patinations had to be changed several times in order to get as close as possible to nature and create a unique experience for animals and visitors. A total of more than 3,000 m² of modelled nature-identical surfaces were created and partly very impassable, steep terrain… where only ibexes can get ahead.

Many thanks to the whole team of the Dählhölzli Zoo in Bern. It was a pleasure.

Recreation and expansion of the existing bonobo enclosure.
KaGo & Hammerschmidt’s decoration work is an essential part of the redesign of the bonobo enclosure.
The building is modelled as a research camp in the jungle and we designed, among other things, earth replicas, board root trees, wooden huts and wooden roofs made of robinia wood.

total surface: approx. 900 qm
construction time: approx. 2 months, with up to 7-9 employees on site
completion: June 2019

One of the largest predator enclosures in Europe!

The predator enclosure (tigers and lions), which was themed by us, is one of the largest in Europe.

The interiors of the enclosure were themed by us as a deteriorated jungle palace with artificial rock design, tree reproductions and illusion paintings, similar to AnkorWat.

The outdoor area was also themed with artificial rocks. The elevator shaft was covered with artificial rocks, a waterfall rock was created in the tiger bawn such as an artificial rock tunnel with a length of over 15 meters. In addition, the brickwork was designed.

total surface: approx. 700 sqm artificial rock / approx. 500 sqm illusion painting
completion: end of 2018

Artificial rock formations in the “Savannah” area of Antwerp Zoo. This includes the restaurant, the buffalo enclosure and the enclosure for the giraffes and the zebras. A total of approx. 3,000 sqm of artificial rocks in sandstone look including stalactites and stalagmites, a grotto replica, a children`s adventure area with climbing wall and slide, as well as a natural watercourse and rock formation with integrated painting possibilities. In the giraffe and zebra enclosure, our hand-modeled rocks form a natural barrier between humans and animals.

construction time: 2015-2016

This has been one of the most exciting projects in the history of KaGo & Hammerschmidt so far. In 16 months a complete new area called „Islands at Chester Zoo“ was created.

KaGo & Hammerschmidt took over the total of artificial rock constructions in all areas and animal compounds, indoors as well as outdoors, including the walkways. This also incorporated the replication of trees, façade decorations with ornaments, masks and figures, illusion painting on walls and doors, huge buttress root trees and overthrown, snapped trees, mudbanks, waterfalls and decoration of steam courses, caves, bridges, underwater decorations, roots and much more.

construction time: approx. 16 months
up to 40 employees on site
completion: July 2015

Letter of recommandation download PDF

Subzone Alaska

Decoration of compounds for seals and polar bears in and out of water upon the archetype of a real polar mountain landscape. Construction of a tunnel underneath, from where the breath-taking underwater world can be observed.

total surface: approx. 10.000 sqm
construction time: 2 years
up to 60 employees on site
completion: April 2006

Subzone Africa

Construction of artificial rocks in various compounds for apes, hedgehogs and many other animals.

total surface: approx. 2.000 sqm
construction time: 6 months
8 employees on site
completion: July 2006

Gondwanaland

The newly built zone in Leipzig Zoo was themed by KaGo & Hammerschmidt with several enclosures and walkways. From artificial rocky landscapes in different designs over lying rocks with heating features for the animals, an impressive waterfall with several terrace-like basins for catching the huge water amounts, tree replications, grottos, cave passageways, watercourses to an enormous tree bridge with an underwater landscape; everything was composed to the finest detail.

A 300 m long tunnel with 1.000 sqm surface area was themed as a run-down mining-gallery and leads the visitors below ground to see several terrariums and aquariums.

surface area: 7.000 sqm
17 employees on site
construction time: 15 months
completion: July 2011

Tropical Aquarium

Theming of the tropical aquarium und various animal enclosures with artificial rocks in various designs, in and out of water, as well as different walls and trees. Replication of an old mining gallery, versatile buildings and a sunken submarine.

surface area: approx. 4.000 – 4.500 sqm
construction time: 7 months
18 employees on site
completion: June 2007

Mountain in Himalayan Thars` enclosure

Refurbishment at the heritage-protected, 100-year-old artificial mountain, including removal of old and ramshackled parts, bracing of side surfaces, anchorage of gaps and fissures and a final protective coating over the whole artificial mountain, where each rock measures between 12-15 metres.

Elephant House

Theming of the elephant house as an Indian temple with columns, filigree sculptures, wall fragments and replicated rocks. Construction of a waterspouting combination of several animal heads and ornaments.

surface area: approx. 800 sqm
construction time: 2 months
6 employees on site
completion: October 2006