The selected teams are made up of leading firms in the fields of architecture, museum design and engineering, with extensive international experience in cultural, scientific and museum facilities
The Bioscope will be a new facility spanning nearly 7,000 m² that combines architecture, immersive experiences and animal exhibits to tell the story of life on the planet
With an €18 million investment funded by BSM and an opening scheduled for 2030, the project is a key strategic initiative in Zoo de Barcelona’s transformation into a leading hub for biodiversity conservation
Zoo de Barcelona has selected the five finalist teams that will compete to design and build the future Bioscope, a centre for exploring the origins and evolution of life on Earth.
The international project competition received 14 entries and is now entering the phase where teams will develop their architectural, museum design and conceptual proposals. The goal is to select the guiding project for a new facility that will become one of the main gateways to learning about biodiversity at Zoo de Barcelona.
The finalist teams combine expertise in architecture, engineering, construction, museum design and the creation of educational experiences - a blend of disciplines essential for a project that brings together exhibition spaces, immersive technology, scientific collections and animal exhibits.
Five internationally renowned teams
The selected teams include the professionals behind some of the most notable architectural, cultural and museum projects developed in recent decades. The five finalist teams are:
- B720 Arquitectura, led by Fermín Vázquez, with the participation of Abacus, Lüchinger Meyer Partner, Éxito de Diseño and The Logical Zoo, and COMSA as the partner construction company.
- Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes, with the participation of Kengo Kuma & Associates and ELECNOR as the partner construction company.
- Brullet de Luna i Associats, with VESTA as the partner construction company.
- Enric Ruiz Geli Project, with the participation of Elisabeth Diller, of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), Philippe Rahm and Ralph Appelbaum, and COPCISA as the partner construction company.
- Miquel Mariné, with the participation of Baukunst and ACSA as the partner construction company.
The participating firms and professionals include creators of landmark cultural facilities, museums, public spaces and architectural projects across Europe, demonstrating the significant interest the Bioscope has sparked among leading teams.
Over the coming months, the teams will develop their proposals, which will be evaluated based on architectural quality, the ability to integrate the project’s scientific, museum and educational content, and compatibility with the surrounding environment.
A new space to tell the story of the origins and evolution of life on Earth
The Bioscope will span nearly 7,000 m², distributed across a three-storey building and an outdoor area integrated into the Zoo de Barcelona grounds.
The visitor experience will combine museum elements, immersive experiences and animal exhibits to tell the story of the major processes that have shaped the evolution of life on the planet - from its origins to current biodiversity conservation challenges.
The animals housed in the Bioscope will be species from conservation projects involving Zoo de Barcelona or species that played a pivotal role in a specific stage of biodiversity evolution. The exhibits will feature, for example, amphibians, fish, reptiles and invertebrates.
Designed as a space for learning and discovery for all audiences, the new facility will also incorporate research and scientific collaboration, aiming to make knowledge more accessible to the public through a participatory and emotionally engaging experience. In this regard, it will work with universities, research centres and other conservation organisations to launch projects focused on biodiversity, animal welfare and ecosystem preservation.
A cornerstone of the Zoo’s transformation
The Bioscope is one of the most significant initiatives in Zoo de Barcelona’s transformation towards a model focused on biodiversity conservation, research and scientific outreach.
With a projected investment of €18 million - fully funded by BSM - and an opening scheduled for 2030, the new facility will expand Zoo de Barcelona’s capacity to generate knowledge, foster environmental awareness and strengthen its scientific profile.
