Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo is a nationally-recognized 8,500-square-foot environmental learning and nature play space for children under the age of 8 to use year-round. It is composed of a large, open exhibit space; stage area; administrative offices and conference room; and a small animal holding facility. Kirtley-Cole Associates completed the structure in January 2006; the Zoo completed exhibit construction and opened the facility in May 2006.
The project was designed to earn LEED Silver certification, but due to the efforts of the entire project team, Zoomazium ultimately earned LEED Gold certification instead. This made Zoomazium the first zoo project in the world to have earned such accreditation. Additionally, the project earned awards for Best Sustainable Certified Construction from the Associated Builders & Contractors of Western Washington and Best Green Building Project from Northwest Construction Magazine.
Thus, in so many ways, the project was designed and constructed with the environment in mind:
- The Surrounding, Established Trees
- Building Management Systems
- Fully Functioning Zoo
- Flexible Building Use
- Certified Wood
- “Green” Roof
- Fritted Glass
- Scheduling
- Recycling