Immersive Habitats: Designing for Conservation

Proctor immersive habitats: & Matthews designing for Architects conservation

Designing for Conservation

Proctor and Matthews Architects has developed a specialisation in zoo sector projects over the last thirteen years, undertaking a number of commissions for zoological societies worldwide. Clients have included the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL), The North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) and the Institute of Science at Pune University in Maharashtra. The studio is committed to helping Zoological Societies and Conservation Trusts with their broader education and conservation objectives by designing immersive environments that engage the public in a more holistic understanding of the conservation of species and habitats worldwide.

Notable projects include the ‘Gorilla Kingdom’ at London Zoo, which was considered to be one of the most significant restructuring projects undertaken by the Zoo in more than forty years. The design evolved through a two-year collaboration with the zoo’s project team of animal experts and keepers to create an immersive attraction providing visitor encounters with Western Lowland Gorillas, Colobus monkeys, white-naped Mangabeys, reptiles and birds.

A similar design approach was adopted at the ‘Lions of the Serengeti’ habitat at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park in Bedfordshire. This immersive environment creates a new visitor experience within the setting of a large unspoilt natural parkland. Here animals roam in larger pastures and the visitor can walk or drive between environments. The scheme, inspired

by Maasai Warrior settlements and boma in the Serengeti, examines how mankind exists in close proximity to large preditors.

Design work for Chester Zoo involved both the creation of the ‘Natural Vision’ Masterplan (set across the entire zoo area) and detail planning applications for the Heart of Africa and Entrance Pavilion projects. The studio was part of a multi-disciplinary team preparing the Masterplan which set out a fifteen year vision for the expansion of Chester’s visitor experience to enhance the Zoo’s reputation as a world leader in animal conservation and education.

Proctor and Matthews Architects has subsequently undertaken a number of international projects including designs for the masterplan of a new zoo in Tbilisi, Georgia, proposals for a new National Aquarium for Batumi Georgia, and detailed designs for the centre piece of ‘Ocean World India’ one of the largest aquariums of its kind in the world designed to present the Indian Continent’s rich aquatic life.

Lions of the Serengeti Whipsnade Wild Animal Park The ‘Lions of the Serengeti’ enclosure is an introduction for visitors to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) conservation programme in the African grasslands. As part of the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, this was the first in a series of projects by Proctor and Matthews Architects for ZSL and includes landscaped paddocks, night quarters, a day shelter and visitor viewing areas.

The viewing belvedere and night quarters enhance the visitor experience by providing an enclosure designed to create a seamless and immersive environment telling the story of the interwoven relationship between humans and lions in Tanzania.

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1: Lion enclosure integrated into the Chiltern landscape 2: Lion viewed from the visitor gallery 3: Lion enclosure 4: Visitors and faceted glazed screen 5: Visitor gallery 6: Woven eucalyptus 7: Lion viewed from the visitor gallery 8: Woven roof with Beech coppice

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Whipsnade, Bedfordshire

Key narrative

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Enclosure, visitor canopy and night quarters

Visitors view the lions at close quarters through a faceted frameless glass screen, located beneath a patchwork canopy of woven eucalyptus and reed panels.

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The Zoological Society of London

African lion 236 m2

Proctor and Matthews Architects, Roberts US, Brand Leonard, Hurley Palmer Flatt, WT Partnership, T&E Neville Ltd Complete

Although of modest scale, the visitor belvedere provides a vehicle to engage with Zoo-wide sustainability aspirations and the more specific issues of ‘recycling’. Inspired by the inventive re-use of discarded oil cans to form tin toys and household artefacts and woven baskets utilising plastics coated electrical cable, the proposals looked to create a simple canopy - a patchwork of recycled components.

The solution of overlapping prefabricated panels of ‘woven’ eucalyptus (from Tanzania) and reed (salvaged from previous Whipsnade exhibits) is configured as a chequerboard outer skin to the visitor area. This is partly cut away to reveal a specimen Acacia tree (typical of the Serengeti) which penetrates the built structure: A commentary on the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural environment.

The shelter has a deliberate impermanent quality.

The ‘patchwork’ outer skin hints at African ‘boma’ – makeshift stockades or animal enclosures of the Savannah region.

Internally, this folded form encloses a visitor gallery for interpretation ‘events’ and the direct encounter with lions through a faceted laminated glass screen wall. The internal roof skin – a transparent rainscreen of triple cell polycarbonate sheeting – is combined with the external woven eucalyptus delivering a softened dappled light within the shelter.

The lion night quarters are deliberately utilitarian in nature to accommodate adaptation and radical modifications as species knowledge and animal husbandry best practice evolve over time. “…the approach taken here is exactly right. This is not a self-important building; it forms a shelter that is noticed but not noticeable, drawing the visitor in as they approach, controlling and enhancing the experience of the encounter with animals and balancing the needs of visitor and animal appropriately.” Bill Gething, Architects Journal

Gorilla Kingdom London Zoo Gorilla Kingdom is considered to be one of the most significant re-structuring projects undertaken by London Zoo in over forty years. The brief was to design an enclosure that highlights the plight of western lowland gorillas and other species native to African rainforests in Congo, Rwanda and Gabon. The project successfully achieves its goal in providing an immersive landscape that includes a variety of viewing areas for face-to-face interactions as well as a platform upon which the Zoo’s research can be presented to visitors.

The project includes a new night quarter, a day gym and visitor viewing areas. Separate enclosures for Diana monkeys, Colobus monkeys, Nile Monitors, African Tree Frogs and White Collar Mangabes together with a new aviary for Lilly Hoppers, Congo Pea Fowl and Superb Starlings were also created.

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London Borough of Westminster

The Zoological Society of London

Enclosure, day gym, night quarters Gorilla (Western Lowland), Mangabey (White-naped), Macaque (Sulawesi crested) 6,600 m2

Proctor and Matthews Architects, G K Pockett, Brand Leonard Ltd, Hurley Palmer Flatt, WT Partnership, Bremner & Orr, Crispin & Borst Ltd Complete

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Key narrative Architectural details were designed to evoke the natural environment from which the gorilla’s species originate.

A series of wooden panels with cut-out sections and stripes of paint - inspired by the rhythmic Kuba fabric patterns of the Congo region - envelope the interior of the enclosure’s main viewing space providing it with a distinct character. The layout of spaces offers visitors a variety of indoor and outdoor areas from which to view the gorillas. Each viewing point unfolds as visitors follow a promenade along a secure moat designed to resemble a natural watering hole.

The project was part of the Zoo’s wider strategy to provide enlarged an enhanced animal environment which included the removal of visually obtrusive barriers separating the animals from visitors. Across two years, Proctor and Matthews worked in collaboration with a team of in-house consultants that consisted of specialist project advisors, animal experts and animal keepers.

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1: ‘Gorilla view’ from paddock 2: Initial boardwalk sketch 3: View into the day gym 4: Canopy ‘fracture’ within covered boardwalk 5: ‘Gorilla view’ from paddock 6: View of moat 7: Boardwalk and canopy

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1: Bamboo column and glazed viewing screen 2: View of boardwalk towards the moat 3: External view of day gym 4: Concept sketch studies 5: Initial concept sketch with winding route 6: Sectional model of ‘folded’ boardwalk 7: Sketch studies for Aviary entrance portal

Meet the Monkeys London Zoo ‘Meet the Monkeys’ allows the public to move through the enclosure with an uninhibited view of the animals in a habitat designed to recreate the rainforests of Bolivia.

The enclosure has proved a great success with the public, particularly children and features night quarter facilities, entrance kiosks and a squirrel monkey day enclosure. The brief required us to work closely with all departments of the zoo team including directors, keepers, vets, educational and interpretation experts.

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London Borough of Westminster

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Enclosure, day gym, night quarters

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The Zoological Society of London Squirrel Monkey (Bolivian blackcapped) 1,500 m2

Proctor and Matthews Architects, WT Partnership, Brand Leonard Ltd, Landform Consultants Complete

Tbilisi Zoo Masterplan Georgia The design concept for Tbilisi Zoo gives careful consideration to six major continental animal environment zones, each with its own themed approach to landscaped environments and building structures. These grouped environments are united across the site by a common theme of geological land formations and their impact on natural habitats.

Each of the themed continental zones is also characterised by one of four key elements, water, wind, earth and fire.

Beginning with the Rainforests of the World (water), Wild Europe (wind), African Savannah and Asian Steps (earth) and finally North America (Yellowstone Park) and Australian Bushlands (fire).

The masterplan also incorporates a variety of accommodation types including woodland cabins and themed hotels.

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Tbilisi, Georgia

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Masterplan

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Tbilisi City Corporation Proctor and Matthews Architects, Battle McCarthy, Lazenby Design Associates, WT Partnership Competition

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1: Aerial view of zoo on the edge of Tbilisi reservoir 2: Inside the Wild Europe Aviary 3: Tbilisi Zoo Masterplan

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1: Squirrel monkey day gym 2: Meet the Monkeys entrance screen 3,4: Squirrel monkeys 5: Meet the Monkeys entrance screen

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Tickets Restaurant And Shop Exhibitions Delivery Service

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Tropical Sea (Acrylic Tube) Lake Lily Pads/ Landscape Education

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Black Sea Gallery Void Feature Tank Imax Over

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Plant Tank over Topical Sea Ravine

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Plant over G Waterfall Access to tropical sea Amazon tank 1 Amazone tank 2

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Tropical freshwater Void Mountain ravine Spiral

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Batumi Aquarium Georgia Responding to a brief that called for an iconic building, Batumi Blue is an architectural sea creature on the shores of the Black Sea. It takes its distinctive form from the fluid sinuous forms and dramatic colouring of aquatic life forms - a giant sea slug! The new aquarium is sited to respond to the existing built form and also the landscaped waterfront promenade on the shores of the Black Sea.

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Batumi, The Republic of Georgia Association A.T.U Aquarium

Proctor and Matthews Architects, Lazenby Design Associates, WT Partnership Competition

Key narrative

The two long ‘fish scale’ facades define and embrace an inner tropical world of hanging landscapes, tree canopies and mysterious lagoons and pools. This internal focal landscape is conceived as a visual continuation of the tree promenade planting to the west of the site. The Serpentine ‘scaley’ form of the principal aquarium walls is interrupted at the entrance to the new visitor attraction where the public leave the beach side promenade, step onto a boardwalk across the proposed site lagoon and enter the inner world of the immersive flooded tropical rainforest. They find a ‘breathing’ landscape lung at the centre of the buildings, complete with large exhibition aquarium, rock pools and waterfalls. The visitor ascends through the landscape via escalator/elevators and into the ‘plenum’ spaces at either side of the central landscape. Here a variety of themed exhibits, smaller tanks and the extensive servicing requirement are housed in a controlled environment where the manipulation of lighting is crucial to the success of the visitor experience.

The iconic form is completed with a dramatic top lit canopy of ‘lilly pad’ roundels, which control natural light into the central flooded rain forest, and provide dramatic daylight effects within the central visitor hub. The aquatic plant analogy is completed with a ‘forest’ of twisting column canopy supports which refer to the complex root structure of water lilies and the drama which exists beneath the tranquil water surface… the mysterious underwater world of the Batumi Blue.

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1: Aerial view 2: Street view with lily pad skylights 3-5: Diagrammatic floor plans 6: Aerial view 7: Diagrammatic section 8: Precedent image 9: Batumi wreck tank - interpretive exhibit © Lazenby Design Associates 10: Precedent image 11: Entrance view with lily pad skylights

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Oceanarium Sea World India The Oceanarium is the principal attraction of the Sea World masterplan in Sindhudurg, India and also includes research, conference and education facilities. The aquarium will be one of the largest of its kind and unique to India and Asia, showcasing the specific aquatic environments found in India and the continents surrounding oceans.

The scheme has been developed in parallel with leading experts including zoologists, marine biologists, aquarists and exhibition designers. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the different aquatic landscapes, which include the presentation of twenty nine aquarium tanks.

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Maharashtra, India

Maharashtra Tourism Development Company Aquarium

Proctor and Matthews Architects, International Design Group, Lazenby Design Associates, Electrical Life Support Systems Ltd, Art Engineering GmbH, JCD Consulting Competition

Key narrative

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The architectural concept of the Oceanarium comprises four sinuous elongated marine like forms, which are intertwined like a family of ocean creatures swimming together and diverge from a single tail to fan out across the site.

Each form comprises upper and lower shell structures of contrasting characteristics. The lower shell is conceived as terrestrial; an organic growth from the earth with an external, coral coloured surface and vermicular patterns. The upper shell is of the ocean, with a scale like skin and incisions, reminiscent of gills of a marine creature, which form skylights allowing filtered daylight into the public areas.

Located at the end of the masterplan’s principal east/west route, at the edge of the western forested plateau the building overlooks the expansive beaches of the Indian Ocean.

The Oceanarium experience begins with the dramatic entrances seen across the Grand Cloister landscape.

Two zoomorphic bridges set across a moat lead to separate ticketing areas for the aquarium and conference venue. The conference hall occupies the southern wing, with internal controlled access to and from the exhibition spaces.

Circulation routes include tunnels and bridges and allow visitors to view exhibits from underwater and at the surface.

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1: Rainforest ravine walkway Š Lazenby Design Associates 2: Aerial view 3-4: Sectional studies 4: Diagrammatic elevation 5: Exploded axonometric showing exhibits and visitor spaces at all levels

Natural Vision Masterplan Chester Zoo The Natural Vision Masterplan prepared for the North West Zoological Society proposes significant expansion of the Zoo’s existing visitor experience and will make it the largest institution of its kind in Europe. The development intends to enhance the Zoo’s prevalent reputation as a leading centre for animal conservation and education; and retain its mantle as the UK’s premier wildlife attraction.

Set to increase annual visitor numbers from 1.1 to 2.4 million over the coming decade, the Masterplan aims to respond to two main design challenges; the expansion and operation of the zoo area and the redevelopment of the existing zoo and its associated parking and access infrastructure. Design principles were derived in response to the Zoo’s vision and site specific analysis undertaken.

The Masterplan proposes to divide the Zoo into 7 distinct character zones, themed around the types of environments.

The character zones, each with their own landscape strategy, are designed to help visitor orientation as well as provide a variety of experiences across the Zoo. The proposed reconfiguration of visitor routes and sequencing intends to maximise access and movement to environments and facilities.

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1: Masterplan (Barton Willmore and Proctor and Matthew Architects) 2-4: Heart of Africa character zone - initial studies 5: Model of Natural Vision masterplan 6-7: Savannah Lands concept studies

Location:

Upton, Chester

Client:

North West Zoological Society

Design team:

Proctor and Matthews Architects, Faber Maunsell, Barton Wilmore, Turner and Townsend

Project type:

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Masterplanning

Planning

Key narrative

A hierarchy of routes is designed to maximise legibility throughout the Zoo. A Linear Park is proposed as the Zoo’s primary circulation route – the centre piece to its movement network. Passing through 5 character areas, the linear park is expressed in the form of aerial walkways, boardwalks, winding cut through pathways and includes ample seating and opportunities for play and relaxation.

The first phase of the Masterplan, Heart of Africa, includes a proposal for locating a large biome exhibit used to accommodate internal exhibits for a ‘winter Zoo’. Located within the Zoo’s allocated ‘expansion zone’ the biome area is designed to easily connect with the Zoo’s existing grounds and operation, without requiring reorganisation. The proposed landscape strategy intends to further visually integrate the biome’s form into the wider landscape setting.

The Masterplan also includes a strategy for a new visitor arrival zone. The pedestrian oriented arrival zone is designed to project the Zoo’s conservation and educational message while heightening the sense of expectation and excitement for arriving visitors.

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Heart of Africa Chester Zoo Heart of Africa originally formed the first phase of the Natural Vision Masterplan for Chester Zoo. A large biome was proposed to accommodate internal animal habitats for a ‘winter zoo’. Located within the Zoo’s allocated ‘expansion zone’, the scheme was designed to easily connect with the Zoo’s existing grounds and operation without requiring reorganisation.

Simulating the rainforest habitats of Congo, the structure’s dramatic undulating responsive roofscape and enclosure provides an immersive sanctuary to rainforest animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles; including some of the world’s most endangered species of Gorillas and Okapi.

Location:

Upton, Chester

Key narrative

Client:

North West Zoological Society

Design team:

Proctor and Matthews Architects

This dynamic environmental enclosure is designed with conservation and education requirements as key principals.

Visitors will explore the exhibits in a variety of ways including treetop elevated walkways and boat rides culminating in the bio-diverse strata of the biotope – from the dramatic depths of the forest floor to the upper reaches of the rainforest canopy including views to the Chester countryside. Creating a journey that provides an unparalleled experience and understanding of the Zoological Society’s vital role in the preservation and conservation of the planets most endangered habitats.

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Rainforest biome Planning

As part of the Natural Vision Masterplan, Heart of Africa intended to enhance the Zoo’s prevalent reputation as a leading centre for animal conservation and education, retaining its mantle as the UK’s premier wildlife attraction.

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1-2: Interior study with rainforest 3: Aerial view with perforate carapace 4: Consultation model 5: Profile elevation

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Proctor & Matthews Architects 7 Blue Lion Place 237 Long Lane London SE1 4PU +44 (0)20 7378 6695 www.proctorandmatthews.com