Credit: David Vexelman

It will be a great privilege to be able to contribute to the tradition of contemporary architectural additions at one of London’s most cherished institutions
– Norman Foster

Global architecture firm Foster + Partners have been appointed to redevelop London Zoo’s famous Snowdon Aviary.

The Grade II* listed structure, designed by Cedric Price with Frank Newby and Lord Snowdon in 1962, was recently added to Historic England’s Risk Register for structures in danger of falling into disrepair due to the high expense of necessary repairs compared with the likely end value.

The aviary was the first in Britain to offer visitors a ‘walk-through’ experience, bringing them closer to the birds in their natural habitat. The structure is now set to be modernised and upgraded to provide a brand new walk-through home for the zoo’s troop of colobus monkeys.

Earlier this year the Zoological Society of London, which runs London Zoo, secured £301,000 (US$374,600, €343,700) in Heritage Lottery funding to conduct the research and planning phase of the renovation project, which aims to turn the aviary into a new space for both animals and visitors. An application for a full grant of £4.8m (US$5.9m, €5.4m) will be made after Foster + Partners develop their new design.

“We are honoured and delighted to be working on the redevelopment of the Snowdon Aviary – a rare example of a completed work by Cedric Price,” said the studio’s founder Norman Foster. “I also have a particular personal affection for it as it shows most strongly the influence of our mutual friend and mentor [American architect] Buckminster Fuller.

“The redevelopment of the aviary is a unique opportunity to preserve this exceptional structure and the legacy of pioneering architecture at London Zoo. It will be a great privilege to be able to contribute to the tradition of contemporary architectural additions at one of London’s most cherished institutions.”

The zoo has long been a patron of landmark architecture, and popular attractions include Decimus Burton’s Clock Tower and Giraffe House and Tecton’s Grade I listed Penguin Pool and Round House gorilla enclosure.

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