Studio Hansen Roberts creates jungle habitats for Auckland Zoo
by Andy Knaggs | 15 Jul 2019
New Zealand's Auckland Zoo has revealed a timetable for opening each part of its new South East Asia Jungle Track project ‒ a NZ$58m (US$39m, €34.6m, £31m) investment that's part of the zoo's wider 10-year, NZ$150m (US$100.9m, €89.5m, £80.4m) evolution programme, funded by Auckland Council.
The zoo has worked with Studio Hansen Roberts on the design of the South East Asia Jungle Track, with NZ Strong (builders), Jacobs Engineering and Beca Group (project strategy and delivery) also part of the team.
The development includes new habitats for new species from the south-east Asian jungle, including a high canopy for orangutans, gibbons and other primates, lowlands for tigers and otters, a swamp forest dome with a scientifically-engineered environment to mimic the hot and humid Tropics, where the Sunda gharial (Asian crocodile) and a range of other reptiles and fish will live, and lake and wetlands with an extended climbing range for arboreal primates.
On a more functional level, a new 1,000sq m (3,280sq ft) cafe and function venue is being built, with views of the lake and wetlands habitat, while infrastructure services such as power, gas, data and water will be renewed.
The schedule announced sees the café and function venue open around Christmas 2019; the high canopy should open during the New Zealand summer (December 2019-February 2020), followed by the lowlands in the winter (June to August) and the tropical dome in springtime (September to November 2020).
Visitors will be offered a "highly immersive journey through four distinct habitats spread across one-fifth of the zoo", said Auckland Zoo, and will be able to "discover and connect" with some of South East Asia's most spectacular and threatened wildlife. This will be delivered partly through "shared shelters", where visitors can get up close to the animals.
In the final phase of the development programme, slated for 2021 to 2022, the zoo said it will develop a refreshed South American trail, new entry and family facilities, and an African Forest track.
New Zealand Auckland Zoo South East Asia Jungle Track Studio Hansen Roberts NZ Strong Jacobs Engineering Beca Group
The lowland habitat includes elevated vantage points for tigers Credit: Auckland Zoo
Aerial pathways for arboreal primates stretch between a series of 23m-high poles Credit: Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo promises an immersive experience for visitors Credit: Auckland Zoo
A new cafe and function venue will be the first part of the new development to open Credit: Auckland Zoo
New Zealand's Auckland Zoo has revealed a timetable for opening each part of its new South East Asia Jungle Track project ‒ a NZ$58m (US$39m, €34.6m, £31m) investment that's part of the zoo's wider 10-year, NZ$150m (US$100.9m, €89.5m, £80.4m) evolution programme, funded by Auckland Council. The zoo has worked with Studio Hansen Roberts on the design of the South East Asia Jungle Track, with NZ Strong (builders), Jacobs Engineering and
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