The entrance to Edinburgh Zoo had not been refurbished for some years and was in a poor state of repair. Our design was the winner of a selective competition.
The design moved the entrance to create a larger, more welcoming area and maximised space for the new gift shop. To avoid costly structural alterations the extension sits independently of the existing structure and in so doing creates a large cantilevered canopy to provide both shade and shelter for queuing visitors on busy days.
The ceiling is formed by a series of green disks suspended from the space frame structure, to effectively lower the height and to reflect the tree structures of the animal habitat beyond the entrance area. We created the designs for the bespoke welcome desks, retail displays and graphic design throughout the entrance and gift shop.
We worked closely with the client and contractor as part of the Design and Build team to deliver the project within very tight timescales, ensuring that it was complete for the arrival of the Zoo’s newest residents, the pandas.
