The Antonina and Jan Żabiński Warsaw Zoo is preparing for a major modernisation. A contract was recently signed for the design of a new monkey house to replace the existing, outdated infrastructure. The contract was awarded to Kwadratura Sp. z o.o., and the design is expected to be ready within 12 months. The cost of this project is £1,273,050. The new monkey house, whose design is based on an already existing concept, will be much larger and more functional than the current one. The area of the building will be approximately 4,300sq m and the structure will span three storeys. The modern design includes large glazing to provide natural light in the entrance spaces, and the main entrance will be located on the side of the Aquarium, in the south-eastern part of the zoo.
The new monkey house will include both indoor and outdoor animal enclosures, as well as visitor spaces and technical facilities. The enclosures will be divided into three zones, reflecting the continental origins of the animals that inhabit them: South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia. The new facility will also feature educational spaces where visitors can learn about reptiles, amphibians and insects specific to each continent. Each geographical zone will have a unique design, adding to the attraction and educational value of the exhibition.
The first zone, ‘South America’, will include an enclosure for capuchins and cheetahs, while the ‘Africa’ section will be home to baboons and vervets. The ‘Asia’ zone, on the other hand, will become home to gibbons and lutungs. In addition, pools for tapirs and capybaras are planned for the South American and Asian zones. The enclosures will be enriched with natural elements such as tree trunks, branches and lianas, providing the animals with conditions close to their natural habitat. The outdoor exhibits will be separated from visitors by special glazing and part of the fence will be made of solid material, ensuring the safety of both animals and visitors. The back of the monkey house will include social rooms, a kitchen for the animals and technical rooms such as central ventilation, a heat exchange and water and sewage connections. The building will be fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, highlighting its modernity and functionality.
Both internal and external vegetation will form a coherent green complex that will enrich the aesthetics of the entire building. The ground floor façade will be covered with steel trellises planted with climbing plants, while the second floor will be finished with structural plaster in bright colours. As part of the extensive changes, the Warsaw zoo is also planning to modernise the electricity supply system and build a photovoltaic farm. The company 2MKP Energia Sp. z o.o. has been selected to carry out these investments and has 12 months to develop the necessary documentation. The cost of this project will be approximately PLN 420 000. The aim of this investment is to improve energy efficiency and increase the safety of the operation of the garden’s electrical equipment.
The new monkey house at the Warsaw zoo is a step towards raising the standards of animal care and increasing the attractiveness of the site for visitors.
Source: Stołeczny Zarząd Rozbudowy Miasta
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