ZooChat Exhibit Design Competition #2

[FunkyGibbon]

Theme 5
Collection 18
Exhibits 15
Visitor experience 10
Reqiurments 12
Write-up 10
Landscape 5
Interp./Conserv. 5
80/160

This is the superfun part of the process where I interact with your feedback. I don't think my write up was adequate this time, so I understand your negative comments, but I will offer the suggestion that maybe you could find some positive things to say about the exhibits as well. I would appreciate that and I think others would as well.


-Two-story stable can't physically work
Luckily I had removed this feature from my final design. Are you sure you read the right document?

-I wouldn't worry about the hippos getting away from the bongos, I'd worry about the bongos getting away from the hippos.

As for pygmy hippos, I personally would love to see them with bongo. There is no reason that this exhibit at Caldwell couldn't have pygmy hippos as well without doing a lot of renovation.

Taken from this thread:
http://www.zoochat.com/552/bongo-colobus-duiker-exhibit-89098/

-No holding at all shown on map for hippos, bongos, or drills
-Or Diana monkeys
-Or duikers, mona monkeys, or otters
This is because the holding is beneath the mongoose/event space. But another fair criticism about map detail.

-Public hog feeding not a safe idea
A misunderstanding. I meant feeding station to mean a place where animals receive food, not a palce where visitors can be involved in that process.

-"no attempt to create an immersive or naturalistic environment" is not acceptable
The exhibit brief did not mention the words 'immersive or naturalistic'. I know you believe that a modern zoo must do this but I and others don't. If you're going to judge a lack of this negatively it should be in the brief as a requirement.
Also, why not tell me this a month ago in the initial feedback?

-A donation box will collect trash and used chewing gum.
And donations. These are commonly used in Britain.

-No water pump area for extra, non-creek water areas
This totally didn't occur to me. Is it just moats that need this, or hippo pools etc? Because I don't recall any other write-ups featuring pumps.

-No specified meeting space as required
This is the Event Pavilion on top of the reinforced roof of Chappal Waddi.

I really enjoyed desgning this exhibit, and I am sure I will enjoy designing the next one as well. I know I am losing points because I don't pay as much attention to interpretation and some other aspects of the competition. Unfortunately they interest me less. When I visit zoos I tend to ignore this stuff and focus on the animals and their enclosures. Nevertheless I will try to improve on these areas next time.

Looking forward to #3!

 

[Jurek7]

Congratulations again for everyone, it was fun! Now that I will not spoil anybodys chance of winning, a comment.

I was surprised that jbnbsn99 accepted service roads going to the busy road outside the zoo with no apparent connection inside the zoo grounds. Seems like obvious design flaw. At best it would be difficult for staff to get out and in multiple times a day. At worst, it may be impossible - the road may be busy highway or other zoo gates may be not connected to it.

Also, wire front of a chimpanzee exhibit is not found in modern zoo exhibits. People would cross the fence and feed the chimps.

And drills are not found in the area marked on the map

I was also surprised by comments:

It still needs more green space to buffer the exhibits. You've added several from the first submission, but it still has the feel that exhibit breathing room is not a concern.

I would consider efficient use of limited space a plus. All exhibits are full of trees as much as possible.

You have a huge list of plants, but a lot of those would have to be hotwired off to survive inside of an exhibit.

I put bamboo and several thorny or distasteful species in the list. I know of no further low trees, shrubs or vines which would survive with chimps, monkeys or ungulates, and even those would need some support of hotwire or be destroyed after some time. Otherwise zoos in this country would look very different.

Best thanks again for the fun and effort you put in it, jbnbsn99. Looking forward for another round.

 

[Otter Lord]

I didn't submit a final submission, but I thought my first one would automatically be included. It's been a hectic two work weeks.

 

[jbnbsn99]

I'll add it in. I'll try and find some time tomorrow to do a complete grading.

 

[jbnbsn99]

I didn't submit a final submission, but I thought my first one would automatically be included. It's been a hectic two work weeks.

Finally found the time and energy to grade yours. It's been a rough week. All my previous comments stand.

Theme 19
Collection 20
Exhibits 17
Visitor experience 19
Zoo's requirements 15
Write-up 19
Landscape 20
Interpretation 20
149/160

 

[Otter Lord]

Finally found the time and energy to grade yours. It's been a rough week. All my previous comments stand.

Theme 19
Collection 20
Exhibits 17
Visitor experience 19
Zoo's requirements 15
Write-up 19
Landscape 20
Interpretation 20
149/160

Thanks for the review! Hopefully I'll have more time to submit a final submission next time. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[fkalltheway]

Was just thinking about this today -- is anyone going to start another official exhibit design challenge? I'd love to participate in one.

 

[jbnbsn99]

I still plan on doing challenge 3, but my time has gone to nil lately with a new job and a new house.

 

[FunkyGibbon]

I still plan on doing challenge 3, but my time has gone to nil lately with a new job and a new house.

I am also looking forward to Round 3. Good luck with life things in the meantime.

 

[Nikola Chavkosk]

Well done all in the first competition. Here is round two. Stakes are higher, and now we have to be specific.

Round 1 was a free-for-all. This time, we have a zoo with a specific site plan and a specific need.

The zoo has requested a West African exhibit that features some of the animals already in their collection. Animals required in the exhibit are:

3.7.0 Western Chimpanzee
1.2.0 or 1.1.1 Pygmy Hippo
2.2 Mona Monkey
2.2 Diana Monkey
1.2 Western Slender-Snouted Crocodile
1.1.2 Yellow-Backed Duiker

In addition, the zoo would like to house several other species. Mixed species exhibits, where possible are desirable. The zoo is allowed to import up to 2 species from outside of the home country (your own country in this case) and 2 species from the wild. (I.e., if you are within the AZA, then you are allowed to import 2 species from the EAZA and visa versa.) Species imported from the wild must have a conservation need for importation. All other species must be available within the home countries collections. The zoo wishes to house multiple smaller species within the exhibit, including many bird species.

All species must come from within the circled region on the map of Africa. (See attached image.)

The zoo has requested that there be some form of event facility here for meetings, dinners, and education. Minimum size needs to be 2,000 sq. ft. of event space (does not count other facilities - restrooms, storage, etc.).

The zoo has also requested that no signs be visible in the exhibit. Therefore, alternative interpretation methods must be designed into the exhibit.

The zoo has requested that there must be some overarching, culturally-sensitive, geographically appropriate, and conservation minded theme to the exhibit.

There is a busy street on the outside of the north and northwest perimeter of the exhibit. The design must take this into account from both a visual and aural perspective.

The total space for the exhibit is 4.7 acres, but this includes a steep-walled creek that runs though the exhibit. The zoo would like to incorporate the creek into the exhibit design. However, environmental needs dictate that the water leaving the zoo must go through a filtration system so that no animal waste enters the local water supply.

The site is located in an unused area of the zoo's property. It is densely wooded with several large hardwood trees.

This time, you will have two chances to submit. Chance one is for evaluation and critique. Critique will come not only from me, but from anyone on the forum who cares to make comments. Chance two is the final submission.

Grading (new system)

0-20 - Theme (0 is no theme at all; 20 is a fully thought out, functional, appropriate, and exciting theme)

0-20 - Animal collection (All contestants start at a 10. Negative points for animals left out, not appropriate to the collection, or from outside of the range. Positive points for additional appropriate animals properly sourced.)

0-20 - Keeper and housing requirements (0 no keeper/housing; 20 keeper areas and housing requirements are fully met, functional, and accessible)

0-20 - Exhibits (0 exhibits do not appear on design; 20 exhibits are well designed for the animal needs and for visitor viewing)

0-20 - Visitor experience (0 visitors not able to see animals or meet basic needs; 20 visitor walks away from exhibit feeling a sense of "wow")

0-20 - Zoo's requested requirements/needs (0 - none of the zoo's requirements are met; 20 - all requirements are met and well designed into the exhibit)

0-20 - Write-up (0 no write-up present; 20 write-up well written, includes all needed information, presented clearly and succinctly)

0-20 Landscape design (0 no landscape information given; 20 - detailed information on existing plants and what will be planted in exhibits and in landscape/garden areas)

0-20 Interpretation/conservation (0 no interpretation or conservation message; 20 visitor leaves knowing more about West Africa, the animals there, why they should care about them, and what they can do)

A map with some detailed information is provided. This is the layout that is to be used. Designs may be based on this layout and done by hand, or I can provide the file from SketchUp that I used to create the layout (PM me for details).

Very interesting jbnbsn99. There is some need to make such complexes housing West African animals more popular, like are complexes representing East African savannahs, Southeast Asian forest, Madagascar, Congo Basin, Australia or South America (as already Batto mentioned on my thread about West African Animals). Some other interesting complexes would be many, for example New Guinea (your thread), Cuba, Borneo, India, Sahel, etc.
Do you draw that first attached thumbnail photo? - I have draw also a lot of such plannings of enclosures on paint. Before that, when the use of computers was not so common I draw such plannings on paper, covering all big table.