The Experiential Design Index

Heart of Africa — Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Heart of Africa, a 43-acre mixed-species savanna expansion at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio, opened May 22, 2014; architect and planner PGAV Destinations, habitat construction and theming by The Nassal Company, and interpretive design by Roto, with construction by Messer Construction Co. (management) and Smoot Construction Co. of Ohio.

VenueColumbus Zoo and Aquarium
Project typeNew Exhibition
StatusCompleted
Year completed2014
Technologiesinterpretive graphics

Credits

FirmRoleNote
PGAV Destinations Architecture
PGAV Destinations Master Planning
The Nassal Company Fabrication
Roto Interpretive Planning Credited on the venue's own zoolex.org design/build credit page as "Interpretive design"

Description

The exhibit is a rotating, mixed-species savanna habitat featuring lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and other African wildlife, with a cheetah run, cooling stations for eye-level lion viewing, and an elevated walkway for giraffe interactions. It won Top Honor in Exhibit Design from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Sources