I visited Wilhelma in 1973 and the gorilla accommodation was nothing like this. This is much more spacious and although it looks very stark now, I suggest we suspend judgement until we see how it is furnished (after all, your living room looked pretty stark when it was at the same stage of construction )
This is rather worrying. Looks like 1970's returned. I guess the concrete will be covered behind sooooooooo typical for LOWLAND gorilla habitat ardificial rockwork, concerte lianas and trees (cut short as roof is very low). Maybe a small temple like in Congo movie? That thing costed lots of money.
This is rather worrying. Looks like 1970's returned. I guess the concrete will be covered behind sooooooooo typical for LOWLAND gorilla habitat ardificial rockwork, concerte lianas and trees (cut short as roof is very low). Maybe a small temple like in Congo movie? That thing costed lots of money.
From the looks of things, these are the "final" finishes--no rockwork etc. will be added. This is classic "honest" 70s-style concrete architecture, with a slightly modern twist.
I was hoping at least there might be an opportunity to have some organic substrate added to the lower level terrace, but given the location of the bottom of the service door, I doubt this would work.
Basle and Zurich did this sort of thing in the 1960s. It's strange (actually sad) to see another zoo doing it almost identically 50 years later.
From the looks of things, these are the "final" finishes--no rockwork etc. will be added. This is classic "honest" 70s-style concrete architecture, with a slightly modern twist.
I was hoping at least there might be an opportunity to have some organic substrate added to the lower level terrace, but given the location of the bottom of the service door, I doubt this would work.
Agree, I don't think it will be decorated with artificial rockwork etc which IMO is pretty pointless anyway. It does look to me that the bottom level is asking to be filled with something- like mulch?- as there is a raised area again along the perimeter of where the viewing glass will be, so it is a form of pit at present where the animals would be obscured from view.
All in all it is very simple but quite spacious though the ceiling is remarkably low, however it is true Gorillas don't make a great deal of use of extra height. With 'furniture' (logs, ropes etc) added I don't think its too bad an exhibit, though it is strangely rather dated in appearance already. Possibly they didn't think you can improve on that sort of design.
Any photos of outside?
And does anyone know if this new house has provision for the nursery-reared Gorilla babies to have more direct contact with the adult group? It was talked about.
Agree, I don't think it will be decorated with artificial rockwork etc which IMO is pretty pointless anyway. It does look to me that the bottom level is asking to be filled with something- like mulch?- as there is a raised area again along the perimeter of where the viewing glass will be, so it is a form of pit at present where the animals would be obscured from view.
All in all it is very simple but quite spacious though the ceiling is remarkably low, however it is true Gorillas don't make a great deal of use of extra height. With 'furniture' (logs, ropes etc) added I don't think its too bad an exhibit, though it is strangely rather dated in appearance already. Possibly they didn't think you can improve on that sort of design.
Any photos of outside?
And does anyone know if this new house has provision for the nursery-reared Gorilla babies to have more direct contact with the adult group? It was talked about.
The fact that the service door is flush with the lower level floor indicates to me the design is intended to facilitate hosing, and would preclude the provision of mulch in the "pit," which is about the only thing that could soften this retrograde enclosure.
The fact that the service door is flush with the lower level floor indicates to me the design is intended to facilitate hosing, and would preclude the provision of mulch in the "pit," which is about the only thing that could soften this retrograde enclosure.
Looking at the floor line to the right of the service door there is a slight ramp up to the door, so it's not quite flush. The available depth below the door would be a matter of mere centimetres though (10cm/4"?), unless there is an incline on the floor in front of that.
