Marwell Wildlife New Cheetah Enclosure

[Zambar]

Design plans are already underway on the cheetah enclosure Marwell plans to build in 2010. Found this on RH architects about a new observation platform:

'Cheetah Observation Platform

As part of the Zoological park’s 10 year Strategic Masterplan, a number of new facilities including this Cheetah Viewing Pavillion will be developed within the new landscaped grounds.

The design philosophy is to create an elegant object in the landscape that mimics the elongated and sprinting body of the cheetah.Design inspiration came from the way a cheetah catches its prey.

The fast moving animal moves in, chases and pounces on its prey. What evolves is a fragmented abstraction taking the form of several linked structures, creating viewing opportunities, protection from the elements and a welcome rest point along the foot path.'

Link to page and artist impressions

 

[JamesB]

Another interesting project, where abouts in the zoo is it going?

 

[Zambar]

Don't know yet, it's still early days and there hasn't been anymore official confirmation of location or other features at the moment.

 

[zooboy]

Don't know yet, it's still early days and there hasn't been anymore official confirmation of location or other features at the moment.

Marwell Dalek is correct; no plans for the cheetah have been made yet, even on the location for the enclosure, or even enclosures. The architectural idea is just that; in all probability it will be completely different.

 

[Zambar]

A good example is that the gibbon enclosure was originally going to have the house on the East side for a long time, and plans for them to mix with javan langurs were even there at an early point. Marwell commisions the architechts to come up with these conceptions, such as this viewing platform, early on, and changes are made as time progresses.