Zoo Designers Make Their Case

Zoo Designers Make Their Case
11-09-2012

CLRdesign has just released a video celebrating their exhibit design.
Features: Giants of the Savanna, Toyota Elephant Crossing, and more

Evolutionary Thinking in Habitats

12-09-2012

Great video! This was taylor-made for ZooChatters.

12-09-2012

Thank you for sharing, Zooplantman.

12-09-2012

Does it only play in the US? I can't get it to work.

12-09-2012

Can you get it through their Facebook page?
CLR Design - Philadelphia, PA - Company | Facebook

12-09-2012

Thanks for that It looks like CLR have designed most of the biggest exhibits opened in the the United States in recent years.

12-09-2012

I have downloaded it in the UK, using Firefox and Flash Video Downloader. I hope to watch it soon.

Alan

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12-09-2012

It is an excellent video, and I only wish that more zoo exhibits were showcased rather than a trio of habitats at Denver, Dallas and Philadelphia. I enjoyed the discussion about flex habitats, as well as the new theory of activity-based zoo design.

12-09-2012

I'm at the AZA conference in Phoenix this week. Yesterday there was a very well attended paper session on activity-based design. Speakers presented Dublin Zoo's Asian elephant exhibit, Denver's Toyota Elephant Passage and Predator Ridge, Oregon Zoo's plans for elephants, ... I sat there thinking that our UK and European zoochatters would be laughing throughout as these presentations about encouraging animal choice were presented as new trends.

13-09-2012

Great photo. Thanks Zooplantman!
It should be noted however, when they say "This is the only place in the country where you'll see other species with elephants," that Lowry Park has kept their African Elephants with their Impala and guineafowl for quite a long time.

14-09-2012

Great video! Thank you for sharing. They seem to have some great ideas; or, some of the same ideas I have had. Though, I don't know why it took so long for this "revelatory concept" of engaging environments to gain traction.


I'm still not sold on Flex Habitats.

16-09-2012

Again even CLR the dang designer ignores Trails and from your comments Plantman it seems even the AZA is. It is mind boggling how much little respect Birmingham is getting considering the risks they have taken. From this forum, the AZA, and the media at large.

Trails when fully implemented will mix species including Rhino with 4 BULL African Elephants yet no respect.

16-09-2012

Have you ever thought that there might be other reasons. Giants of the Savanna and African Trails are very similar exhibits, but GotS is more refined. If the designers had to pick one of the two to display, best bet is to go with the exhibit that shows off the concept at a more advanced state.

It could also be the politics of the individual zoos involved. And it could be that the other three zoos are located in areas with major airports that would make it much easier for a film crew to reach them as opposed to Birmingham.

Just a thought.

16-09-2012

I am convinced that no one wishes to ignore Birmingham. Most of all CLR who knows the zoo as a valued and respected client.

I agree with jbnbsn99 that the video couldn't show everything (I don't see fans of Louisville, Portland, Port Defiance, Como Park and other CLR clients taking offense at not having their zoos represented) and that while the Birmingham animal management plan is courageous, the exhibit itself is a less expensive twist on what was done in Dallas. While Denver, for example, is different in significant ways. Had they made a different video, showing everything CLR has done, it would be hours long with no time to explain anything. Perhaps they will feature Birmingham in Designers Make Their Case II: This Time It's Serious

16-09-2012

The paper sessions at AZA were derived from who wanted to speak. AZA did not ignore Birmingham. Birmingham apparently chose not to give a talk.

And as I had some very small part to play as an adviser on Trails, I have no lack of appreciation for it.