Incorporating The National Parrot Sanctuary
Registered Charity No #1062413
Registered Charity No #1062413
The proposed development incorporates a large open-plan landscaped interior with a series of enclosures for a variety of animal species. Giving a totally unique educational experience showing the different levels of a rainforest and the creatures that live within, offering the Parrot Zoo the availability to diversify into alternative animals creating an overall better experience.
The space facilitates a visitor experience with a flowing circulation in between the enclosures and rises from ground to first floor level with internal viewing platforms.
Additionally within the volume of the building:
Externally the design also incorporates a new aviary enclosure wrapped in the decent ramp to the main building.
The intention is that the building offers an extension to the circular visitor circulation route. The proposal offers a continuous landscaped experience as they arrive, enter the Rainforest Experience and subsequently exit the building. The exit / descent ramp is partially comprised of a ramped earth mound, constructed from excavated material from the adjacent pool. The pool and mound are to be planted and landscaped in order to soften the transition of the timber ramp construction back into the main zoo circulation route. Balustrades to the external timber ramps are to be constructed of timber panels perforated with abstract foliage patterns to further blend with the natural landscape.
The construction emulates the local agricultural vernacular at upper level with a series of 3 arched roofs. The ground floor is solid walls with timber clad and provides a stable base to the construction.
The primary facades, (south-east and south-west) are treated to visually break down the overall bulk of the building mass with the descent mound and ramp (with perforated balustrades) striking inclined angles against the horizontal form. The landscape treatment to the mound and descent / exit ramp further softens the building’s siting within the natural landscape.
The building, viewed from within the existing zoo site is disguised in its overall bulk with a discreet break in the east-west conifer line, but is ably ‘sign-posted’ by the proposed new bird enclosure which enables easy orientation for visitors entering and leaving the Rainforest Experience.
The scheme is intended to have the majority of its energy requirements met by renewable sources.
The proposed heating strategy for the primary volume within the Rainforest Experience is presently to being investigated with high consideration toward a ground source heat pump system, which can additionally be utilised to provide heating to the internal spaces located at either end of the building volume.
Power is to be substantially provided for by a wind turbine located to the north-west corner of the site with back-up power provided from the National Grid.
Biodiversity is naturally encouraged within the context of the zoo and the new proposed internal Rainforest Experience, external landscaping, including pool / water feature – enable a broader range of wildlife, native to the landscape to be accommodated upon the site and to the benefit of educating visitors to the local environment.
The building is designed with ease of access central to the main design principals.
The existing path circulating the zoo is level throughout, enabling easy wheelchair access. The proposed Rainforest Experience continues as an extension to the zoo pathway with a ramp allowing visitors to ascend internally to the first floor level of the tropical house before exiting via an external ramp back to ground level. All ramps are designed to comply with building regulations and the primary circulatory route is at a gentle 1:20 gradient.
In addition to public visitors of the zoo the new proposed structure additionally include: areas to store and prepare feed for the animals on-site; a staff office; a reception facility to accept new parrot specimens brought to the zoo and to treat injured birds. These are each located at ground floor level with direct access to the north and west perimeter of the tropical house building where access tracks and parking areas have been designated. The delivery area adjacent to the feed store is partially covered with canopy over to allow for unloading from any delivery vans.
The rainforest Experience will also incorporate a unique education centre for all key stages of todays curriculum, touch screen information pads located around the site will give access to up to date information on individual creates and their habitats, information boards encouraging children to seek and learn about todays environment and the eco system will be located around the centre. A central building situated so that you will be able to experience water creatures on eye level alongside insects and reptiles while listening to information from the recordings on audio loop systems therefore assisting with explanations where needed centre.
“All in all a must for schools and colleges around Lincolnshire and for visitors from around the United Kingdom”
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