Design Story 01
The zoo is located in the heart of Edmonton's river valley, beside a large public park on a bend of the North Saskatchewan River.
Edmonton Valley Zoo Entry and Wander
New zoo features and facilities to get closer to nature- Location
- Edmonton, AB
- Client
- City of Edmonton
- Completion
- 2014
- Sustainability
- LEED® Silver certified
- Collaborators
- Ion Irrigation
- Natural Systems International
- Stuart Olson Construction
- Studio Hansen Roberts
- T.A. Maranda
- DIALOG Services
- Architecture
- Electrical Engineering
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
Part of a series of upgrades to the Edmonton Valley Zoo that focuses on getting guests closer to nature in the heart of Edmonton's river valley, this project includes new entry and orientation plazas, a café, the Zootique gift shop, an education centre and guest services. A newly-designed central circulation path called The Wander tells the story of the North Saskatchewan River as guests move throughout the zoo. These upgrades drastically improve the first impression of the zoo, and set the stage for the whole experience of getting closer to nature.
Meet The Team
-
Jill Robertson
Partner, Landscape Architect
-
David James
Associate, Architect
-
Sandra Renihan
Associate, Structural Engineer
-
Michele Sigurdson
Partner, Interior Designer
-
Jeff DiBattista
Partner, Managing Partner
-
Doug Carlyle
Landscape Architect
-
Keith Robinson
Associate, Specifier
-
Rob Swart
Partner, Architect
-
Dan Hunka
Associate, Architectural Technologist
-
Charles Marshall
Partner, Engineer
-
Edmon Pon
Associate, Electrical Engineer
-
Jin Feng
Associate, Architect
The design of our entry plaza really follows suit with the vision of creating a vibrant new zoo. It's modern, but it keeps our ties to nature.Heather Fedyna, Educational Interpreter
Design Story 02
All of the buildings and landscape features echo the surrounding river valley and the Edmonton Valley Zoo's mandate to get closer to nature. They are designed to look and feel as though they emerged naturally from the valley.
Design Story 03
As visitors approach, they're greeted with an impressive rammed earth wall. Designed to mirror the colored layers of the North Saskatchewan River banks, the wall is approximately 72 metres long and 60 centimetres thick, and it was the first of its kind to be used outdoors in a cold climate. The wall is exposed in one of the education centre's multi-purpose rooms.
Design Story 04
The entry plaza is a welcoming space for visitors and the community. Guests don’t have to pay admission to enjoy the plaza’s café and patio, gift shop, rest areas, and playful water features. They can even get a glimpse at the river otters playing—their habitat extends into the entry plaza. Families and cyclists using the nearby river valley parks and trails can stop in for a snack and water bottle refill.
Design Story 05
Designed in collaboration with Studio Hanson Roberts, the circulation path known as The Wander tells the story of the North Saskatchewan River, starting in the Rocky Mountain glaciers, trickling through the foothills and across Alberta’s Aspen Parkland before winding around the site of the zoo. Kids can climb on a glacier, run and explore through a maze of rocks, splash in wetland pools, and experience the world from inside a beaver dam. The Wander leads back to the entry plaza, where a sturgeon-themed water play feature is a popular spot for kids.
Evoke DIALOG | Edmonton Valley Zoo Entry and Wander
Learn more about how the new entry plaza, visitor services and education centre, cafe, gift shop, and central circulation path reflects the zoo’s focus on getting close to nature while fitting in with their natural surroundings.
