Goettsch Partners has recently announced the completion of the $41 million renovation, restoration, and expansion of the Pepper Family Wildlife Center at Lincoln Park Zoo. The facility is home to a pride of African Lions, Canada Lynx, red pandas, and snow leopards.
The 54,000-sf facility nearly doubles the size of the previous lion habitat and provides increased transparency with a more immersive experience for visitors while restoring the architectural integrity of the original landmarked building. The habitat focuses on providing choices for the animals and enhanced wellbeing, from thermal comfort zones for heating and cooling to intricate rock work and trees for climbing.
The original building, located at the heart of Lincoln Park Zoo, was originally completed in 1912 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 2005. The new lion habitat spans the full northern side of the building with the design informed by data collected by the zoo over the last several years on lion behavior and space use to understand their preferences.
Large 1 1/2”-thick glass panels provide expansive views of the outdoor lion space. The savanna-style habitat includes detailed rock work to introduce climbing features and expand environmental options for the lions while providing embedded heating and cooling elements for climate control. Tree structures and deadfall are made from trees certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Food zip lines, simulating prey, provide an enrichment opportunity for the lions.
The building’s design facilitates viewing from the Lion Loop, a sunken elliptical path leading visitors down from the TAWANI Great Hall into the center of the habitat. The loop provides visitors the opportunity to view lions from all around, even through the skylights overhead. Additionally, a demonstration training wall allows visitors to view the lions working with zoo staff to participate in their care.
Goettsch Partners designed the project in collaboration with Seattle-based zoo exhibit specialists PJA.
Related Stories
Cultural Facilities | Dec 1, 2019
Small-venue theaters play starring cultural and economic roles in New York City’s economy
A new study identifies the challenges these theaters face, and offers possible solutions that include more city support.
Cultural Facilities | Nov 11, 2019
‘The Whale’ will be an arctic attraction 185 miles north of the Arctic Circle
Dorte Mandrup won an international competition to design the project.
Cultural Facilities | Nov 1, 2019
Coldefy & Associés’ design selected for Pulse nightclub shooting memorial
The design was selected from 68 entries.
Cultural Facilities | Oct 29, 2019
A watchtower in Harlem, once a firefighter’s lookout, is restored as a landmark
The nearly $8 million project required major structural interventions.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
Top 65 Cultural Sector Construction Firms for 2019
Whiting-Turner, Turner, PCL, Clark Group, and Gilbane top the rankings of the nation's largest cultural facility sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
Top 70 Cultural Sector Engineering Firms for 2019
Jacobs, Arup, EXP, BRPH, and Thornton Tomasetti head the rankings of the nation's largest cultural facility sector engineering and engineering architecture (EA) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
Top 110 Cultural Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
Gensler, Populous, DLR Group, Stantec, and Perkins and Will top the rankings of the nation's largest cultural facility sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 3, 2019
2019 Cultural Facility Giants Report: New libraries are all about community
The future of libraries is less about being quiet and more about hands-on learning and face-to-face interactions. This and more cultural sector trends from BD+C's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Cultural Facilities | Sep 11, 2019
The Kennedy Center expands for the first time since its 1971 debut
The REACH, with three pavilions on a generous lawn, adds openness and light to this performance space.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 28, 2019
Seattle’s newest substation doubles as a civic amenity
The Denny Substation includes 44,000 sf of open space that invites local residents and visitors to frequent the complex.