Lions Exhibit
A $5M restoration project transforming a historic site into a world-class habitat. The "invisible architecture" of education and conservation.
Project Specs
Client
Audubon Institute
Project Type
Zoo Exhibit
Role
Design, Tech, Props
Year
2019
The return of lions to the Audubon Zoo required more than just a fence; it demanded a story. We led the design and fabrication of the African Lion Habitat, a $5 million expansion that transports guests to a repurposed 1920s railway station in the heart of the savanna.
The exhibit was conceived as a “living” space where conservation meets immersion. The abandoned train station concept serves a dual purpose: providing an engaging aesthetic narrative for guests and creating natural, functional enrichment structures for the lions.
- Immersive Education: Interactive elements are seamlessly woven into the railway station theming, turning educational content into part of the world.
- Historic Re-imagining: transformational design that repurposes existing structures into a cohesive, story-driven environment.
- Guest Experience: Carefully designed sightlines and “close encounter” viewing areas allow visitors to connect with the animals safely while feeling completely immersed in their habitat.
Project Gallery
