Lahznimmo Architects and landscape architecture practice Spackman, Mossop and Michaels have designed a new exhibit for Taronga Zoo that will show Australia’s unique animals in their natural habitats, “whether up in the trees, or down in a burrow.”
Aiming for a message of conservation, the “Upper Australia” exhibit will feature a built form designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, with minimal intervention made to the existing mature landscape and topography. Taronga Zoo stands on the Country of the Cammeraigal people of the Gai-mariagal, on the shores of Sydney Harbour.
The new structures, sitting within a dense tree canopy, will not be visible from the harbour or from lower down the hill in the zoo.
Marking the formal entry to the Upper Australia precinct will be the new Western Pavilion, consisting of a large sculptural built element formed of a mix of natural recycled hardwood and anodised aluminium in a muted colour complementary to the surrounding landscape.
From there, the architects state in planning documents, “the main exhibit path will snake through various native landscapes, ranging from lush rainforest through to arid woodland and then up into the tree canopy via an elevated boardwalk to view koalas at their natural sitting height in the tree canopy.”
“The Australia journey then winds its way down through the Blue Mountains rock escarpment and then underground into the Nocturnal House; where a complete refurbishment of the existing building will provide state-of-the-art keeper facilities and unique night-time viewing of Australia’s nocturnal creatures.”
The macropod exhibit, where visitors will be able to see kangaroos, wallabies and emus at close range, will be located around the northern precinct perimeter, in the area of the existing exhibit and extending west into the existing ponds area, towards the Western Pavilion. It will feature minimal built form – aside from pathways and occasional bench seating – while the landscape design will provide an immersive experience that aims to reflect diverse Australian landscapes, “from dry rainforests and hanging paperbark swamps to open woodlands.”
The treehouse of the Upper Australia exhibit at Taronga Zoo by Lahznimmo Architects and Spackman, Mossop and Michaels.
The koala exhibit, in the north-eastern part of the precinct, will takes advantage of the existing level changes between the high plateau at the centre of the existing macropod exhibit and the zoo’s boundary fence to create an elevated viewing experience.
And at the centre of the precinct will be the Treehouse, a hardwood timber deck open on three sides with a high timber roof above. Connecting the macropods exhibit with the koala exhibit, and then linking visitors down via the escarpment walk to the Nocturnal House, the Treehouse will offer shaded space to sit, as well as space for a shop and bathroom facilities.
Planning documents for the project are on public exhibition until 3 September.
