 |
The Lion House may no longer house big cats, but the building’s original
lion details, including the entry pediment, were retained and restored. All photos: © David Sundberg/Esto
|
Astor Court sits at the heart of the 265-acre Bronx Zoo, and its six Beaux Arts buildings were constructed at the turn of the 20th century to house exotic animals from around the world. When the Lion House was built in 1903, the brick and limestone facility was considered state-of-the-art, but as standards of animal care advanced, the lions were moved into a more natural setting, and the Lion House was shuttered in 1985.
Restoring the Astor Court buildings was a key fixture of the zoo's 2003 master plan. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates from the Bronx Zoo, was tasked with bringing new life to the Lion House. For the $60 million renovation, the group focused on the wildlife of Madagascar, the huge island in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The exhibit includes Nile crocodiles, lemurs, and hissing cockroaches, but no lions, which aren't native to Madagascar.
The Building Team of FXFOWLE Architects, Hill International (CM), and MAA Angelides (GC) was tasked with restoring the building and adding 4,800 sf of new exhibit space, 6,700 sf of new plant and animal support space, a 3,500-sf multipurpose event space, and 6,700 sf of mechanical space, all within the building's existing footprint.
They did so by excavating the cellar by four feet, expanding into space beneath the terrace, and removing outdated features (such as the original 1903 lion cages). The existing foundation was stabilized and expanded, steel beams shored up the aged structure, and a new roof with high-performance skylights was installed. The lower level of the renovated 43,200-sf structure contains primarily service and support spaces, while public spaces and exhibits occupy the main level.
The building's mechanical systems and supports were designed to disappear within the building so as not to obstruct historic details or the exhibits. Structural columns and ductwork in exhibit areas are disguised as trees. A raised floor displacement system that requires no duct work delivers heating and cooling. Sprinklers are integrated into acoustic panels. A geothermal system eliminates the need for an obtrusive cooling tower and increases efficiency, helping the project earn LEED Gold.
These items particularly impressed the engineers on the judging panel. “From an engineering standpoint, they spent money on things you can't see—the geothermal loop, for example—that significantly add to the project,” said David Callan, PE, SVP at Environmental Systems Design, Chicago. — Jay W. Schneider, Senior Editor
Related Stories
Libraries | Aug 27, 2015
Barack Obama Foundation begins search for presidential library architect
Both national and foreign firms will compete for chance to design the Chicago-based Presidential Center.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 19, 2015
Proposed “High Line” in Mexico City pays homage to Aztec aqueduct
Plans for Mexico City’s elevated park include an amphitheatre and al fresco cafés.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 5, 2015
Ultramoderne wins Chicago Architecture Biennial kiosk design competition
Dubbed Chicago Horizon, the 3,200-sf structure will feature a chin-height rooftop viewing platform that will offer visitors unimpeded views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 4, 2015
London set to have world’s tallest and longest slide
The city of London recently approved a proposal to add a slide to the Anish Kapoor- and Cecil Balmond-designed ArcelorMittal Orbit.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 3, 2015
Funding needed for Washington's Desert Storm memorial
The National Desert Storm Memorial Foundation has a $25 million goal for the project.
Transit Facilities | Jul 30, 2015
Snøhetta designs ring-shaped cable car station in Italian Alps
In Snøhetta’s design, two cylindrical rings embedded into the existing topography, each at different elevations, will be connected by a cable car. During the minute-long cable car journey, passengers can enjoy views of the city and of the Italian Alps.
Museums | Jul 28, 2015
MUST SEE: Zaha Hadid's latest museum project is built into a mountain
The museum, dedicated to legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner, is embedded within Mount Kronplatz in northern Italy.
Performing Arts Centers | Jul 27, 2015
Vox Populi: Netherlands municipality turns to public vote to select design for new theater
UNStudio’s Theatre on the Parade received nearly three-fifths of votes cast in contest between two finalists.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 19, 2015
SET Architects wins design competition for Holocaust Memorial
The design for the memorial in Bologna, Italy, is dominated by two large metal monolithic structures that represent the oppressive wooden bunks in concentration camps in Germany during World War II.
Cultural Facilities | Jul 17, 2015
Rojkind Arquitectos serves up concert hall on the rocks in Mexico
The same way Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim has put Bilbao on the map, architect Michel Rojkind hopes his design will be “an urban detonator capable of inciting modernity in the area.”
