A curved walkway leads through the lush green, humid landscape. A colorful toucan glides by, hummingbirds chirp in the treetops, and red titi monkeys and golden lion tamarins frolic on the climbing rocks. In the listed South America House of Cologne Zoo, visitors are immersed in the tropical biodiversity.

The "explorers" move through an artificial rainforest along a secured walkway. As part of extensive renovation and reconstruction work, the 95-square-meter visitor walkway was fitted with solid planks from the Die Beliebte massiv range of the Bavarian wood composite specialist NaturinForm.

The weather-resistant and non-slip floorboards ensure a safe and durable path through the tropical adventure world – perfect for a nature experience in the heart of Cologne.

People as guests of the animals

Following a comprehensive renovation totaling 12 million euros, the South America House at Cologne Zoo reopened in September 2021 after 28 months of construction. While the animals were previously displayed in tiled enclosures, they now roam freely in a rainforest landscape modeled on their natural habitats. Visitors can experience sloths, piranhas, salt cats, monkeys, and exotic birds up close – an impressive nature experience in the heart of Cologne.

Listed building from the founding period

The South America House, built in 1899, is one of the zoo's oldest buildings and was modeled after a Russian Orthodox church. Along with the Antelope House and the Director's Villa, it is one of the zoo's most important historical buildings. The German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD) supported the extensive restoration with 200,000 euros. A particularly challenging project was the conversion of the building into a modern rainforest landscape that both preserves its historic character and meets the requirements of species-appropriate animal husbandry.

Innovative experience architecture by Dan Pearlman

The redesign of the South America House follows an experience-oriented concept that combines architecture, animal-friendly housing, and modern zoological standards. The renowned team at dan pearlman Erlebnisarchitektur, led by Kieran Stanley, was responsible for the design planning. From the detailed planning stage onward, the Hamburg-based firm ZOOQUARIUMDESIGN took over implementation.

“Our goal was to carefully restore the building, preserving its historic charm while creating a modern, pet-friendly environment,” explains the architectural team at dan pearlman.

The requirements of monument protection presented a particular challenge. Not only were the dilapidated roofs and ceilings replaced, but an innovative ETFE foil roof was also installed, which provides the central nave of the building with natural daylight.

Visitors move like on a skywalk

To accommodate the lush greenery inside the South America House, the original flooring was removed and replaced with a deeper layer of plants. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, and armadillos now roam freely through the tropical habitat, while visitors stroll across an elevated walkway that leads through the jungle like a skywalk. Along the route, glimpses into the piranha pool, a waterfall, and a suspension bridge provide a unique experience. To ensure visitors' sure footing, NaturinForm's Die Beliebte massiv floorboards in brown were laid across 95 square meters – a building authority-approved solution for high-traffic areas.

Why was the choice made for Die Beliebte massiv?

"We're presenting a completely new concept here," explains Claudia Neunzig, Technical Director of Cologne Zoo. "Not only have the animal species changed, but also the way visitors can experience them. Instead of just observing them head-on, as was previously the case, guests move right into the thick of them, in their natural habitat."

When selecting the flooring for the circular path, the designers opted for the solid plank "Die Geliebte" from NaturinForm. "We were particularly impressed by the robustness and durability of the wood composite material," says Neunzig.

Focus on slip resistance and easy cleaning

"We've already had excellent experiences with this material in previous construction projects," adds Neunzig. "It's ideal, especially for high-traffic areas, because it's easy to maintain, durable, and safe."

Non-slip properties were particularly important, as hundreds of visitors walk across the floorboards every day. The flooring also had to be easy to clean—especially since the animals roam freely throughout the building. Every morning, the circular walkway is hosed down to remove dirt and grime. Even after more than a year of intensive use, the surface still looks flawless.

Installation by specialist carpenter Kurth

From autumn 2020 to February 2021, a four-person team from the Kurth carpentry workshop laid a total of 95 square meters of floorboards on the circular path. "At the beginning of the planning process, wood was also considered as an option," recalls Berthold Kurth, Managing Director of the long-established company from Nettersheim-Frohngau. However, since tropical woods were ruled out and the requirements for durability and weather resistance were high, the decision was made in favor of the wood composite material from NaturinForm.

The material was supplied by Scherf Holzfachhandel GmbH & Co. KG from Simmerath, a long-standing trading partner of the manufacturer.

General building approval (AbZ) – a decisive factor

Since the circular path is more than 60 cm above ground level, it is considered a raised structure under building regulations, requiring a supporting structure approved by the building authorities (AbZ). Die Beliebte massiv structure meets these requirements, eliminating the need for costly individual permits.

The supporting structure of the walkway consists of steel girders combined with a sturdy steel substructure. Solid gratings provide additional stability and fall-through protection.

Slip resistance at the highest level

Die Beliebte massiv flooring is 26 mm thick and 139 mm wide (system width 146 mm). It is available in two ribbing patterns: fine or coarse. Both versions have been tested by TÜV Rheinland and rated at the highest slip resistance level R13 – a crucial feature for public and barrier-free areas.

Sustainable production and 100% recyclable

Like all NaturinForm products, this plank is made from an innovative wood composite material. It consists of 70% wood fibers from PEFC-certified forestry and 30% environmentally friendly polymer. Instead of felling additional trees, wood chips from the wood processing industry are used.

Another advantage: The planks are 100% recyclable. After use, they can be taken back by NaturinForm and returned to the production cycle.

Durable, easy-care and robust

Die Beliebte massiv wood planks are used not only on terraces and balconies, but also in high-traffic areas such as the circular walkway in the South America House. Compared to traditional wood, the planks are:

• splinter-free
• anti-slip
• easy-care
• resistant to moisture

The smooth surface prevents dirt and stains from penetrating the material. An annual thorough cleaning is usually sufficient to keep the floor in top condition. Even heavier soiling can be easily removed with water, a brush, or a pressure washer.

Tip: NaturinForm offers a biodegradable WPC special cleaner for stubborn stains.

Quality, tested according to international standards

All NaturinForm floorboards and façade profiles are continuously tested and comply with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) according to international standards. The manufacturer subjects its products to regular quality controls and stress tests to ensure consistently high wood-based material quality.

Guarantee: NaturinForm offers a 5-year guarantee on its products – further proof of their durability and resilience.