The Experiential Design Index

Gorilla Forest — Louisville Zoo

Gorilla Forest, a 4-acre western lowland gorilla habitat at the Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, opened in 2002 with architecture by Schmidt Associates (then operating as Arrasmith) and fabrication by Hadley Exhibits.

VenueLouisville Zoo
Project typeNew Exhibition
StatusCompleted
Year completed2002
Technologiesinteractive sound trigger, infrared heaters

Credits

FirmRoleNote
schmidt-associates Architecture designed under the firm's former name, Arrasmith
Hadley Exhibits Fabrication on other credits; per Hadley's own portfolio

Description

The exhibit features three multi-level indoor habitats and two outdoor habitats, a viewing shelter with underwater hippo views, a sanctuary trail with eye-level primate viewing, gorilla-activated interactive sound buttons, and infrared heaters positioned to draw gorillas toward visitor viewing points. It received the AZA's 2003 Exhibit Award.

Sources