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Project 02 / 05 · Adaptive reuse · Performance

The Lion’s Den

House of the Tribe
The cage becomes the stage

Created for the 2026 PG Bison competition, The Lion’s Den reimagines the abandoned lion enclosure at Cape Town’s former Groote Schuur Zoo as a place for theatre, gathering and artistic expression.

Hero visualisation for The Lion’s DenRendered project artwork / Shae Gaffney
01 / The narrative

Inside the idea.

Created for the 2026 PG Bison competition, The Lion’s Den reimagines the abandoned lion enclosure at Cape Town’s former Groote Schuur Zoo as a place for theatre, gathering and artistic expression.

“From captivity to creativity.”

The transformation

A forgotten enclosure is reinterpreted as a place that celebrates freedom, performance and human connection.

The journey

A sequence of approach, encounter and transformation moves visitors from the overgrown site to the central stage and spaces beyond.

The place before the project

Revisit the original site.

The former Groote Schuur Zoo site in Cape Town had stood abandoned for decades. The design reimagines its historic lion enclosure as a theatre and gathering place, allowing memory, landscape and new performance to share the same ground.

View the Old Zoo Amphitheatre ↗
02 / Process & visual story

The original spreads.

Explore the renderings, design development and drawings, presented in their original portfolio layouts. Select any spread to view it larger.

03 / The spaces

A look at the bigger picture.

The sequence moves from the former zoo landscape into the theatre, restaurant and support spaces.

The Approach — The Lion’s Den

The Approach

A path through the overgrown former zoo site builds anticipation before the enclosure comes into view.

The Threshold — The Lion’s Den

The Threshold

The original stone enclosure becomes a new threshold, retaining the site’s historic character.

The Lions’ View — The Lion’s Den

The Lions’ View

Sculptural lions overlook a new amphitheatre, connecting the site’s past with its public life.

The Cage Becomes the Stage — The Lion’s Den

The Cage Becomes the Stage

A performance space reactivates the enclosure as a place for theatre, movement and gathering.

Performance in the Round — The Lion’s Den

Performance in the Round

A performance unfolds within the circular setting, with the landscape remaining part of the experience.

The Bar — The Lion’s Den

The Bar

Warm timber, stone and layered light make the bar a social anchor within the reused structure.

Gathering at the Table — The Lion’s Den

Gathering at the Table

The restaurant extends the project’s idea of shared experience beyond the theatre.

A New Life for the Enclosure — The Lion’s Den

A New Life for the Enclosure

Dining areas sit within the historic shell, balancing new hospitality with the site’s existing fabric.

Behind the Scenes — The Lion’s Den

Behind the Scenes

A practical backstage and preparation space supports the performance experience.

Original PG Bison 2026 submission

Explore the competition boards.

Competition board 1 of 3Competition board 01 Competition board 2 of 3Competition board 02 Competition board 3 of 3Competition board 03
Download Full Competition Boards (PDF)