This is the first ever manual to system­atically delve into the zoo as an archi­tectural typology. German architect Natascha Meuser examines five generations of zoological structures in order to show that the ­architecture of zoos has always incorporated social values, fostering the coexistence of humans and animals, ever since the opening of the first scientifi­cally run zoo. The manual presents doc­umentation of thirty historical, pioneering zoo buildings that set new standards regarding both function and aes­thetics. Moreover, it offers an in-­depth analysis of fifty international zoos that have been built over the last twenty years. It includes to­-scale floor plans, elevations, and sections, as well as large photos that offer previously unseen insights. The author also presents ten design parameters that can serve as guidelines for the plan­ning of a zoological ­structure.