Tradition and innovation are the two cornerstones of the redevelopment concept of the famous polar Eismeer panorama in Hamburg's zoo "Tierpark Hagenbeck". The listed but dilapidated landscape was replaced by a new construction on the same site. Apart from optimization of constructional and functional work flows behind the scenes and over-fulfilment of stringent EU guidelines concerning species-appropriate animal housing, a primary objective was to present visitors with the beauty and fascination of living environments near the North and South Poles in an impressive way.
Visitors are led through numerous redesigned enclosures in a long-established sequence, as if they were going on an expedition through the various habitats of many arctic and antarctic creatures. The new grounds, cleverly integrated in a tour of the zoo, now permit impressive insights in lavishly designed outdoor worlds, both under and above water, as well as in a weather-independent central indoor area.
Every effort was made to recreate the habitats near the North and South Poles with as much detail as possible for the inhabitants of the new panorama and their visitors. Technical innovations like a geothermal CO2-neutral cooling system were realised through close cooperation with competent partners like the communal water supply and waste water disposal company Hamburg Wasser. Typical arctic and antarctic rock formations make up a geologically correct backdrop down to the last detail for the Humboldt and king penguins, seals, polar bears and seabirds living there. All visitor areas are naturally barrier-free and an innovative information concept offers interested visitors background information relating to zoology, biology and ecology that goes far beyond an immediate fascination of the animal world. 

The increase in the number of visitors recorded by Tierpark Hagenbeck in consequence to this successful project exceeded all expectations.