Primate research facility at Duke improves life for lemurs
Dozens of lemurs have new homes in two new facilities at the Duke Lemur Center in Raleigh, N.C. The Releasable Building connects to a 69-acre fenced forest for free-ranging lemurs, while the Semi-Releasable Building is for lemurs with limited-range privileges. Atlanta architect Lord, Aeck & Sargent designed the buildings with central common areas and labs to make it easier for caretakers and researchers to observe and care for their 140 charges. Separate wings contain lemur-housing modules with lots of doors, enabling the caretakers to reconfigure the layouts or to allow the primates access to the outdoors. Glass blocks at random intervals create the dappled light common to the lemurs’ native Madagascar rainforests. Both buildings seek LEED certification.