Taronga Zoo African Savannah and Congo Precinct

Name Taronga Zoo African Savannah and Congo Precinct
Client Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Country Cammeraygal, Borogegal
Location Mosman, NSW
Year 2016 - 2020

The African Savannah and Congo Precinct Project is the heart of Taronga’s renewal Masterplan, re-housing many of the Zoo’s key exhibits. The project strengthens the educational and conservation role of the Zoo, engaging existing and new audiences in a deeply meaningful way, reinforcing key messages with a focus on Taronga’s contribution to conservation, science and education and enhancing the visitor experience. It is informed by the Taronga Conservation Society’s Vision – Securing a Shared Future for Wild life and People.

The African Savannah and Congo Precinct is an experience that can demonstrate actively to the visitor what they may learn from animals.

Exposed to a vast number of threats in the wild over the period of their existence, animals have developed complex strategies that ensure their common survival.

This on-going evolutionary process is embedded in the design approach, where the concept seeks to immerse visitors in a broad African experience, from the tropical rainforests of the Congo to the open plains of the African Savannah.

The African Savannah precinct is the habitat of the Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Ostrich, Meerkat and Fennec Fox with new back of house facilities and exhibits.

The project occupies a large site on the north-western slopes of the Zoo, linking directly to the main circulation routes and adjoining the new Centenary Theatre.

Awards

2021, AIA NSW Architecture Awards, Urban Design Award – Commendation.

Team

Peter Tonkin, Wolfgang Ripberger, Lauren Sideris, Mark Leong, Edward Rosier, Alessandro Belgiorno-Nettis, Mona Parvaresh, John Taliva’a, Roger O’Sullivan, Alison Osborne.

Consultants

Accessibility Solutions, Motherworks, Evolved Engineering, Earthscape Horticultural Services, AJ Whipps Consulting, Blackett Maquire Goldsmith, SDA Structurres, AJ Whipps Consulting, GTA Consultants, Acoustic Studio, Geoffrey Britton, Ethos Urban, CORE Engineerings, Ashley Built Heritage.

Photographer

Martin Mischkulnig.

Previous Project:
Kensington Street Precinct

Next Project:
Bondi Picnic Shelters

Taronga Zoo African Savannah and Congo Precinct

The African Savannah and Congo Precinct is an experience that can demonstrate actively to the visitor what they may learn from animals.

Exposed to a vast number of threats in the wild over the period of their existence, animals have developed complex strategies that ensure their common survival.

This on-going evolutionary process is embedded in the design approach, where the concept seeks to immerse visitors in a broad African experience, from the tropical rainforests of the Congo to the open plains of the African Savannah.

The African Savannah precinct is the habitat of the Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Ostrich, Meerkat and Fennec Fox with new back of house facilities and exhibits.

The project occupies a large site on the north-western slopes of the Zoo, linking directly to the main circulation routes and adjoining the new Centenary Theatre.

Related projects

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct

Circular Quay Renewal

Bondi Pavilion

Bondi Picnic Shelters

TZG acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, on whose land we work and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We are committed to a just, equitable and reconciled Australia and support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Always was, always will be.

TZG acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, on whose land we work and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We are committed to a just, equitable and reconciled Australia and support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Always was, always will be.