A small local zoo needed an exciting design for their new Giraffe Education Center to attract not only lots of visitors but also attract lots of donors. This design looked at both regional African architecture and also the giraffe’s body itself as inspiration. For example the entrance roofline is inspired by the curvature of a giraffe’s back and neck. The project was built on a natural slope allowing visitors approaching the building from the front to see the giraffe at eye level through the storefront windows. The project also included a rentable conference room that anyone could reserve for meetings or educational experiences that looked directly into the giraffe enrichment area.

Project Area: 5,000 sf

Architect: Clark Design Group

Richard Rinehart; Lead Designer & Project Manager

Structure: Baker Ingram and Associates

Civil: KCI Engineering

Winner 2012 AIA Merit Award