‘Sexuality is an often-overlooked aspect of animal welfare in the zoo. That is why we find it relevant to investigate what the meaning of sexuality and gender could be for zoo design,’ says Kuang-Yi Ku. In addition, De Zeeuw wonders: how, as a designer, do you deal with responsibilities that come with locking up an animal, and how do you give animals a meaningful existence while also taking the zookeepers and the public into account? ‘I aim to achieve the highest possible standard of welfare for the animals and provide them with room to experience their sexuality freely and enjoyably, while at the same time reproduction is very carefully regulated in a zoo. These are sometimes conflicting interests,’ he says as we continue walking toward the false gharials’ enclosure.