Proposed Aquarium and Reptile House
There is a severe lack of non mammalian and non avian representation at Central Zoo. The demand is there, as proven by my survey’s in which every responder stated that snakes and fish were what got them most excited, however the location of where I was collecting surveys might have added bias (I was right next to the aquarium section). In addition to the survey, there was also a pop up aquarium exhibit that had opened opposite the zoo which was a major attraction during the 2 weeks it was open.
The need is there, and we just need to capitalize on it. This was a 6 month personal project I took on to show Central Zoo a vision of what could be possible in regards to an Aquarium and Reptile House.
Problems and Considerations
Current offerings include less than a dozen species
Exhibits are lacking functional and visual elements
Lack of proper informational materials
New design needs to focus on welfare
Easy staff access
Low maintenance
Indoors for better climate control, lighting, and rain cover
Naturalistic enclosures with dynamic conditions
I have always had a deep love for fish, and herps, yet my country really did not have much to offer for someone who shared such a passion. Central Zoo’s lackluster exhibits for these animals always made me wanting more.
I knew I had to go above and beyond for this project, and that burning passion helped set me on a path that I am still following to this day.
Being a dream project of mine, and I really pushed myself to try and create a template Central Zoo could follow to one day turn that dream into reality. Of all the projects I undertook during my time at Central Zoo, this was by far the most time consuming and thorough. The project was budgeted, approved by engineers and welfare experts, and was presented to the board of directors of Central Zoo and their parent organization NTNC (National Trust for Nature Conservation).
The Initial Idea
A flooded Amazon river basin was my initial idea for a show stopping exhibit. This was a gigantic 9m x 9m x 4.5m (30ft x 30ft x 15ft) tank that would be housing arapaima, pacu, catfish, and plenty more. It would have giant panels of acrylic and offer guests a proper look inside one of the most biodiverse rivers in the world.
The sheer cost of the acrylic panels put an end to this idea.
Final Design
This was the final design iteration for Central Zoo’s proposed Aquarium and Reptile House. It features a two story building with back access to all exhibits, spacious walkways, 33 exhibits, automated life support systems, temperature controlled, and so much more. The one thing missing from this design was a ramp for wheelchair access to the lower level.
The double level structure helps maximize space and diverts foot traffic seamlessly through the entire exhibit.
Final Thoughts
The final design is very space efficient and uses up half the area used by the exhibits currently occupying the space, but more than tripling the total number of exhibits.
While the project did get stuck in limbo with me having to travel to the states for my masters program, I do see a future where I go back and leverage the knowledge, skills, and network I have built along the way to make an even better design come to fruition. It would be the first of its kind in the country.
Top down view of the lower level, which would house all the aquariums and a dwarf crocodile exhibit.
Upper level for all the herps. The main showstoppers are the king cobra, anaconda, and Burmese python exhibits.
A render of the old flooded river basin exhibit.
Render of older version of the aquarium and reptile house.
Render of the top section of the flooded river basin exhibit, potentially housing capybaras or sloths.