68 | Architecture Workshop ARCHITECTURE The timber shingles provide a varied grain depth and a texture reminiscent of mountain huts. T T from page 67 terrain and feel secure Christopher said “The main thing was to get as big an interface between the humans as possible and make sure it was unintrusive. “The Zoo already knew the steep nature of the site would be ideal for these mountain cats because they could spend plenty of time up high, looking out over the suburbs surrounding the zoo. “The zoo created a stimulating environment to meet the specific social and physical needs of the species, with steep rock faces, cosy caves, climbing poles, fallen perching logs, and different substrates.” The habitat ended up being much more visible from the visitors below than they had expected , he said. Safety requirements meant a specific stainless steel mesh had to be used, and installation required a high-level engineering to install the mesh by Pinnacle Civil. “They had to make sure they could tension (the mesh) up the sides and over the top.” Amy Hughes from Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo developed the narrative with Story Inc to tell the snow leopards story and make it accessible for all ages. Architecture Workshop continued the theme anchoring the supporting cable structure with large precast buttresses that were designed in the abstract shape of mountains and detailed with snow leopard markings. Working with construction firm Naylor Love, the sequence of the build was challenging, Christopher said. As Naylor Love had to get the retaining walls and landscape completed before the mesh roof was rolled out and tensioned.” Dan Males, the landscape architect, attended site frequently to set out the planting and retaining wall pathways and check the view lines with Chris Jerram from Te Nukuao to get the right feel. The habitat has been hugely popular, with the zoo reporting its highest monthly visitor numbers of 40,058 when the habitat opened, Christopher said. “The Zoo, NL and the specialist sub-contractors put a lot of effort into it too. The visitor interest is validation of the process we all went through.” He was pleased for the client to have the project recognised at the local architecture awards. The project now goes forward to for consideration at the National NZIA Architecture Awards later this year The judges’ citation had acknowledged the numerous elements at play in the design. “The architects have successfully juggled the spoken brief and silent needs of all involved in this project,” it read. naturalhabitats.co.nz 0508 422 482 Designing, building and maintaining landscapes that enhance the natural and built environment. 04 232 0250 | info@multicivil.co.nz | www.multicivil.co.nz Creating Legacies The largest diverse civil subcontracting firm in the Wellington region
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