Ocean Park Panda House in Hong Kong uses a 2,600 m² transparent ETFE roof to bring daylight, habitat comfort and durability to a zoo environment. This allows abundant daylight to enter the enclosure while forming a controlled environment for the animals and plant life within the habitat.
Ocean Park Panda House
The Ocean Park Panda House at Ocean Park Hong Kong features a specialized ETFE roof envelope that supports the habitat’s environmental conditions and visitor experience. Designed to emulate the natural hills and terrain of the region, the roof is clad with highly transparent ETFE foils.
Project Overview
Hong Kong
Country
2600
m²
of ETFE
2008
Completed
David Dexter Associates
Architects
At a Glance – ETFE at Ocean Park Panda House
- 2,600 m² ETFE roof covering the Panda House at Ocean Park Hong Kong.
- Highly transparent ETFE foils allow abundant natural light inside.
- Roof geometry mimics natural hills and terrain, enhancing habitat realism.
- Supports vegetation and animal comfort with daylight and enhanced insulation.
- Lightweight and durable ETFE reduces structural and maintenance demands.
- Designed and installed by Vector Foiltec Asia Pacific.
2,600 m²
of ETFE
ETFE Roof for Natural Light and Habitat Comfort
ETFE’s high transparency lets natural sunlight permeate deep into the Panda House. This supports both the well-being of the pandas and the growth of tall vegetation and trees inside the building. The material’s light transmission levels help evoke a rainforest-like environment, encouraging a thriving internal ecosystem. The performance of the ETFE system reduces the need for artificial lighting and supports natural processes within the space.
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Matthew Penrose
Executive Vice President | Asia Pacific
Eco-Efficient and Durable Solution
The roof geometry mimics natural hills and terrain, enhancing habitat realism.
As an alternative to heavier cladding materials like glass, ETFE offers greater transparency and improved insulation. Its low weight reduces demands on the supporting steel structure, leading to material and cost savings. Despite being lightweight, the ETFE cladding shows excellent durability and resistance to UV degradation, contributing to long-term performance in the tropical conditions of Ocean Park Hong Kong.
Visual Journey
Highly transparent ETFE foils allow abundant natural light inside.
Click on the pictures to see the full size
User Experience and Operational Benefits
Visitors enjoy unobstructed views of the pandas through the transparent roof, creating a more immersive and educational experience. For operators, ETFE contributes to lower energy consumption and maintenance costs, while the architectural approach draws attention to the conservation mission of the park. Vector Foiltec Asia Pacific provided design, engineering, fabrication and installation support for the ETFE roof system.
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