Congratulations are in order for our TESSERE Zoos design team on receiving the premier award during the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Wichita Chapter annual Awards Night. The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley Habitat at Sedgwick County Zoo won the Mayor’s Choice Award, a first-time award given at AIA Wichita.
Exemplifying the integration of experiential design and performance, the Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley is the third largest habitat in the U.S. The project, led by Craig Rhodes, is a one-of-a-kind design with no visual barriers which allow guests to be surrounded by African elephants in a five-acre exhibit. The spacious exhibit allows for the elephants to roam freely and for guests to be surrounded by them in a pavilion at the heart of the habitat or a river boat ride.
GLMV’s project approach of reversing the paradigm set a new standard for Sedgwick County Zoo’s elephant habitat, guest appeal and animal welfare. Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley will reach its one-year anniversary on Memorial Day weekend. For more information on TESSERE Architecture services or the Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, visit our Zoos + Aquariums portfolio page or contact us at (316)265-9367.
