Animal-shaped buildings have long captured the imagination of architecture enthusiasts, from stadiums resembling crocodiles to bridges fashioned after giant koalas. Travel writer David Whitley recently ignited a discussion on Twitter by sharing images of these whimsical structures, prompting admiration for their architectural ingenuity.

Referred to as zoomorphic architecture, this distinctive design style utilizes animal forms to create buildings, spanning from feline-inspired kindergartens to piscine-shaped government offices. If you’re intrigued by these remarkable edifices, consider adding the following to your architectural itinerary:

1. Universum Science Center, Bremen, Germany: This science center, designed by architect Thomas Klumpp in 2000, boasts a striking resemblance to a colossal silver clam shell or a chrome sperm whale emerging from a reflecting pool. It offers interactive exhibits to captivate visitors.

2. Lucy the Elephant, New Jersey, USA: Constructed in 1882, Lucy stands tall as the first example of zoomorphic architecture in the United States. Shaped like an elephant, this iconic structure has served various purposes, from offices to a summer home, and continues to be a cherished landmark.
3. Crocodile Arena Stadium, Bursaspor, Turkey: The Timsah Arena, meaning Crocodile Arena in Turkish, boasts a distinctive green roof resembling a crocodile, complete with its head protruding from one end. It can accommodate up to 43,331 spectators.
4. Cat Kindergarten, Wolfartsweier, Germany: Designed by artist Tomi Ungerer and architect Ayla Suzan Yöndel, this preschool takes the form of a cat, with classrooms and a cafeteria housed within its feline-inspired structure.
5. National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad, India: Known locally as Matsya Bhavan, this office building of the fisheries department is shaped like a fish and was inaugurated in April 2012.

6. Giant Koala Tourist Complex, Australia: Situated at Dadswell Bridge, this tourist spot features a colossal koala-shaped structure, affectionately named ‘Sam,’ offering dining, outdoor amenities, and a small zoo.
7. Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu National Park, Australia: This four-star accommodation is designed to resemble a saltwater crocodile, paying homage to one of Kakadu’s iconic inhabitants.
8. The Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho, USA: Shaped like a beagle, this quirky inn is fondly known as Sweet Willy and stands as a beloved landmark in Idaho.
9. Elephant Tower, Bangkok, Thailand: Also known as the Chang Building, this cubist tower pays homage to Thailand’s revered elephants, serving as a prominent symbol of the country’s culture and heritage.

These animal-inspired architectural wonders offer a delightful blend of creativity and functionality, inviting visitors to marvel at their unique designs and imaginative concepts.

Balakrishna Vithaldas Doshi, hailing from a generation tasked with the formidable challenge of nation-building, distinguished himself as a stalwart in modern Indian architecture by seamlessly blending functionality and aesthetics using a harmonious fusion of traditional methods and contemporary technology. Renowned for his contributions to sustainable design, Doshi counted Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn among his esteemed friends. Notably, he collaborated closely with Kahn on the design of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

Born into a family with a two-generation legacy in the furniture business in Pune, Doshi, now 87, has amassed numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1976. Currently, he is taking a reflective journey through his illustrious career. His granddaughter, Khushnu Panthaki Hoof, has curated a retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi. This exhibition offers a comprehensive glimpse into Doshi’s architectural legacy spanning 60 years, featuring blueprints, models, and canvases painted by Doshi himself. The showcase serves as a tribute to the intersection of architecture and art, celebrating the enduring impact of Doshi’s visionary practice.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan faces mounting pressure from Congress MLAs/MPs to expedite the issuance of deemed conveyance for 20,000 buildings across the city. This move aims to streamline their redevelopment processes and prevent further mishaps.

In the aftermath of a tragic building collapse in the Mumbai North constituency, claiming seven lives, concerns have been raised about the safety of approximately 4,000 societies awaiting deemed conveyance. Alarmingly, nearly 55 buildings in this area have been flagged as hazardous. Mumbai North (MP) Sanjay Nirupam emphasized the urgency for the CM to spearhead efforts to accelerate the conveyance process, facilitating smoother redevelopment procedures. He highlighted the predicament of old structures, which, despite being vacated, cannot be demolished due to disagreements between societies and developers.

BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte stressed the imperative for strict demolition measures to safeguard human lives. He noted that Saturday’s tragedy could have been averted if the BMC had demolished the building, vacated three years prior. Ideally, it should have been reconstructed promptly. However, delays in the deemed conveyance process, attributed to developers’ reluctance, continue to impede progress despite government interventions, lamented Nirupam.

The state government’s initiative to establish guidelines for buildings resistant to explosives has encountered a lack of progress, despite the committee entrusted with addressing the issue submitting its report in February of the previous year. Originating in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the state government had hailed this endeavor as a pioneering initiative.

M.V. Mirani, the committee chairperson who presented the report, remains optimistic that the recommendations outlined in the report will be given due consideration. Despite submitting the report in February and following up in March, with detailed manuals prepared by September, there has been no substantial discussion on the recommendations for the entire state. Mirani expressed, “We had readied manuals for safety and security, encompassing guidelines for a physical protection system, a reference manual on surveillance systems, electrification, fire safety, and the evaluation and auditing of buildings vulnerable to terror attacks.”

The government resolution aimed to establish a committee to assess the feasibility of explosive-resistant buildings and integrate surveillance systems into public buildings. However, a state government official cited a lack of review meetings for the report due to officers being preoccupied with other matters.

The Urban Development Department had issued directives, and based on the committee’s recommendations and terms of reference, the government was expected to implement necessary changes in the development control rules regarding the security aspects of such buildings.

The eight-member committee, including representatives from Southern Command, Pune, the Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, deputy secretary of the UDD department, Bombay Municipal Corporation chief engineer, chief fire officer, an expert on blast-resistant buildings, and deputy director of town planning, had set forth design parameters for explosive-resistant buildings, surveillance systems, building illumination, and police chowkies in all public buildings.

In Mohali, the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Forest Complex in Sector 68 is set to be officiated by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal this Saturday, marking the first-ever implementation of cutting-edge “green building design” principles in the region. The new facility will serve as the state headquarters for the Forests and Wildlife Preservation department, consolidating various wings currently operating from different rented spaces in Chandigarh.

Impressively, the construction of the complex, hailed as a noteworthy achievement, overcame significant technical challenges due to its unique curvilinear design in both plan and elevation, resulting in distinct designs for each floor. Commencing with the laying of the foundation stone by Badal on October 7, 2008, the civil construction work for the basement, ground, and seven stories was swiftly completed in record time.

Aligned with “green building design” principles, the Forest Complex prioritizes energy conservation. The façade features high-performance glass, enabling ample light penetration while mitigating heat. Moreover, the integration of sensors ensures the automatic shutdown of air-conditioners and lights in unoccupied areas. A notable feature contributing to natural cooling is the expansive central courtyard featuring a cascading waterfall.

The construction process, a testament to collaborative efforts, involved a workforce of over 200 skilled individuals working with urgency to bring the project to fruition. The result is a state-of-the-art building that not only meets functional requirements but also sets a precedent for sustainable and environmentally conscious architectural practices in the region.