From vision

to reality, a

design team

that inspires

and drives

change

"To lead the evolution of zoo environments through design that is intelligent, immersive, and inclusive—transforming every visit into an opportunity for learning, connection to nature, and change. "

Company Vision

To build zoo landscapes that are ecologically rich, emotionally engaging, and rooted in conservation ethics—turning every project into a catalyst for positive change."

Dearadh Zú is incredibly passionate about good animal welfare, wellness, and harnessing the power of landscape design as a tool to communicate the importance of nature. We believe that this begins on the drawing board. Each project is unique, each has its own challenges and opportunities, and we tailor our design approach for each new commission.

We bring a personal ‘hands on’ approach to each project with;

An honest, loyal and committed service;
An engaging client design process;
A service that is affordable and accessible to all;
Teamwork and collaboration throughout the process

Our approach to each design is based on the following company values:

Company Misson

Company Values

Immersive

Dearadh Zú are passionate about creating environments that transport visitors into the natural habitats of animals while promoting education, conservation, and emotional connection. Our design approach is led by creating immersive exhibits that use naturalistic landscapes, themed storytelling, interactive technologies, and multisensory design elements to simulate real ecosystems.
Our approach enhances visitor engagement through active participation, exploration, and empathy-building encounters. By blending design, technology, and conservation messaging. Immersive zoo experiences inspire greater understanding of biodiversity and motivate visitors to support wildlife preservation.
Innovate

Dearadh Zú actively pushes creative boundaries by blending cutting-edge design, sustainability, and technology. We develop functional, aesthetically striking spaces that respond to user needs, environmental challenges, and future trends, while fostering unique, forward-thinking solutions.
Our approach to innovation within zoo enclosures design prioritise ecological balance and sustainability, creating naturalistic habitats that support animal welfare while conserving resources. Our designs integrate native landscaping, renewable energy, water efficiency, and biodiversity-friendly practices to minimize environmental impact and promote ecological education for visitors.
Responsive

Dearadh Zú pride ourselves in developing design concepts that are responsive to complex stakeholder needs, site challenges and client briefs. Working within project constraints including limited space, budgetary restrictions, climate and environmental conditions, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards for animal care our team excel in creating responsive design solutions.
Our solutions enhance flexibility and adaptability and create responsive enclosures, healthier environments and more meaningful learning experiences for people, without compromising function and operation.
Collaborate

Dearadh Zú engages in and actively facilities creative partnerships with our clients. Through our connections and years of design experience we have strove to foster strong partnerships and build a community around us of skilled companies and individuals who are aligned to our ethos and share our passion for the zoo and conservation sectors.
We take the time to listen, and we challenge (where suitable) ideas to ensure we are staying innovative and at the forefront of design. We promote the sharing of knowledge and experiences.
We have a personal connection with each project and with our clients and their staff. We work hands on and in collaboration manner for a shared goal of creating inspiring, unique and memorable spaces to be proud of.
Wellness

Dearadh Zú promote the use of ‘Wellness’ as a leading design tool. Designing with animal wellness in mind ensures that enclosures are not just safe and functional, but also promote active, engaging, and healthy lives for the animals.
Enclosures should support animals’ physical, mental, and emotional health by reflecting natural habitats and enabling species-specific behaviors. Enrichment, proper lighting, temperature, and space for social interaction promote active, healthy, and stress-free lives. Through our design process we work closely with animal experts and keepers to ensure we understand the complex needs of species to create spaces that conserve natural animal behavior and promote opportunities and choice for self directed use of enclosures.

Meet the team

COMPANY DIRECTOR / ZOO DESIGNER / LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
A Chartered Landscape Architect and Zoo Designer, Jonathan has over 12 years of practice experience working within the leisure, public realm, hospitality and zoo sector. This experience culminating in the establishment of Dearadh Zú in 2020.
(2008 - 2009) BSc (Hons) Sustainable Architecture
Wexford I.T., Ireland
(2010 - 2012) MA Landscape Architecture
University of Sheffield, UK
(2004 - 2007) BSc Architectural Technology
Carlow I.T., Ireland
(2021-current)
Company Director Dearadh Zu : Sheffield, UK
(2021)
Landscape Designer Timberplay : Sheffield, UK
(2017-2021)
Principal Landscape Architect Gillespies : Leeds, UK
(2017-2018)
Senior Landscape Architect Gillespies : Leeds, UK
(2014-2017)
Senior Landscape Architect HLM Architects : Sheffield, UK
(2012-14)
Landscape Architect Weddle Design : Sheffield, UK
(2008-09)
Junior Architect McLoughlin Architecture : Ireland
(2021) BIAZA Corporate Member
(2017) ABWAK member
(2016) Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI)
Zoos have been a major part of my life since a very young age. Most weekends I would pester my mum and dad to take me to Dublin Zoo. The zoo was a favourite place of mine growing up. Every family holiday usually involved a trip to a zoo or wildlife park. So my career would have come as no surprise to them and if asked “as a small child what did Jonathan want to be when he grew up?” the answer would be ‘a Zoo Designer.’
I’m a Chartered Landscape Architect, with the Landscape Institute (UK), and Zoo Designer. My work includes Masterplanning, zoo habitat and immersion landscape design, amongst other things. I was lucky to be educated in the majors of Architectural Technology and Sustainable Architecture, and I hold a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Sheffield, UK.
While working as a Principal Landscape Architect at Gillespies, I undertook a number of high-profile zoo projects. These projects have included the detailed design and delivery of the £50 Million landscape led masterplan expansion at Yorkshire Wildlife Park; a £17 Million ‘Grasslands’ project at Chester Zoo; and a Elephant habitat and lodge facility at West Midlands Safari Park.
Since establishing Dearadh Zu in 2020, I have led the design of a number of high-profile zoo schemes, ranging from Safari lodge accommodation at West Midlands Safari Park to strategic and detailed Zoo Masterplanning with Hertfordshire Zoo. I have also worked as part of multidisciplinary project teams, such as the NSCC Orangutan Facility at Twycross Zoo, where we delivered concepts, planning, and detailed designs.
- (2025) Annual BIAZA Conference (Chester Zoo)
- (2024) Annual BIAZA Conference (Chester Zoo)
- (2023) BIAZA Plant Working Group Conference (Edinburgh)
- (2023) Annual BIAZA Conference (West Midlands Safari Park)
- (2023) University of Sheffield *Special Tutor
- (2023) ABWAK Symposium (Yorkshire Wildlife Park)
- (2022) Annual BIAZA Conference
- (2022) ABWAK Symposium *Guest Speaker
- (2021) Annual BIAZA Conference
- (2021) Annual Symposium (ABWAK)
- (2020) Annual SEAZA Conference
- (2020) Annual WAZA Conference
- (2019) Zoo Design Conference Wroclaw, Poland
- (2019) Zoo Horticulture Conference (BIAZA) *Guest Speaker
- (2018) Rhino Conference (ABWAK), Cork Ireland *Guest Speaker
- (2017) Zoo Design Conference, Wroclaw, Poland
- (2017) Annual Symposium (ABWAK) *Guest Speaker
- (2016) Zoo Exhibit Design and Planning Workshop, Amsterdam (EAZA)
- (2016) Annual Symposium (ABWAK)
- (2009) Elephant Habitat Design Workshop (Dublin Zoo)

LANDSCAPE & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
A Qualified Landscape and Graphic Designer, Hilary has almost 40 years of experience in print, digital and landscape design and works freelance for Dearadh Zu.
EDUCATION
(2013) MA Landscape Architecture
Leeds Metropolitan University
(2010) HNC (Distinction) Garden Design
Leeds Metropolitan University
(1987) BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Leeds Metropolitan University
(1984) Foundation Degree -Art & Design
Cleveland College of Art & Design
(2023-Current)
Landscape and Graphic Designer : Dearadh Zu, Sheffield
(2019-Current)
Contract Landscape and Graphic Designer : Gillespies, Leeds
(2019-Current)
Creative Designer and Artist : HMB Creative, Oxenhope
(2013-2019)
Graduate Landscape Architect : Gillespies, Leeds
(2004-2010)
Website Development Manager : Lloyds Banking Group, Halifax
(2002-2004)
Senior Business Analyst : HBOS plc, Halifax
(1999-2002)
Senior Interface Designer : Halifax PLC, Halifax
(1989-1999)
Senior Graphic Designer : Halifax Building Society, Halifax
(1987-1989)
Graphic Designer : Peter Gittins Advertising Agency, Altrincham
Hilary is a freelance graphic artist and landscape designer, dedicated to making a positive impact on people’s lives and their environments through her work. By combining her design experience and landscape architecture skills she is able to invent and transform spaces in both 2D and 3D.
Hilary’s path in the creative industry started after graduating with a degree in graphic design in 1987. Over the following decade, she held roles in graphic, print, and brand design, followed by another fifteen years focused on UX, digital and website design.
With an enduring love of wild landscapes and outdoor spaces, at 45, Hilary realised her lifelong aspiration to combine her passions for graphic art and landscape design by enrolling in a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture. Graduating with a distinction in 2013 she took up employment at Gillespies landscape architecture firm. Here she I honed her landscape skills working as part of a collaborative team.
Seeking a new challenge in 20219, Hilary established her own creative practice, HMB Creative, where she delivers creative solutions as a freelancer for corporate, public sector and private clients.
When not working, you can find her exploring the mountains and wild places of the UK and abroad, always immersed in and inspired by beautiful designs and landscapes
- Winner - World Landscape Architecture Award
  Conceptual Design Competition (with Gillespies)
- 2020 Winner - UK Landscape Institute Competition
  Transforming the Urban Landscape with Gillespies)
- 2014 Winner - LDA Design Student Award
  Prize for Excellence in Landscape Design
- 2013 Winner - UK Landscape Institute Student Award
  Best Undergraduate Portfolio

CONSULTANT ZOOLOGIST / PROJECT MANAGER
Ian works as Enclosure Development Manager for Chester Zoo and works as a consultant for Dearadh Zú, on developments at various zoos and safari parks.
(2009 - 2010) MSc degree in Wild Animal Biology
The Royal Veterinary College
(2006 - 2009) BSc (Hons) Animal Management
Sparsholt College, Hampshire
Chester Zoo: Enclosure Development Manager (Full time - Permanent) February 2021 to present
Chester Zoo: Project Liaison Officer (Full time - Permanent) March 2017 to Feb 2021
Chester Zoo: Elephant Keeper (Full time - Permanent) April 2013 to March 2017
Blair Drummond Safari Park: Large Mammal Keeper (Full time - Permanent) May 2012 to April 2013
BIAZA: Contractor / Zoo Biologist (Full time - Contract) January to March 2011
Ian Hickey is a Enclosure Development Manager at Chester Zoo, where he looks after the animal enclosure upgrades and enhancements for all species, while representing the Animal & Plant Department throughout the design and construction process for new, large-scale animal exhibits.
Ian moved to the UK from Ireland in 2006 to study BSc (Hons) Animal Management at Sparsholt College, Hampshire, and he subsequently obtained his MSc in Wild Animal Biology from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010.
Ian has worked for the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), where he delivered their 2010 Elephant Management Audit and spent five years as a zookeeper at Blair Drummond Safari Park and then Chester Zoo (before moving into his current role).
His work now involves ensuring that each new development meets the needs of both animals and keeping staff within the spaces being created.
Ian works as a consultant for Dearadh Zu, having contributed to developments at zoos and safari parks throughout the UK, and is a qualified Accreditation Screener for BIAZA.
Ian has contributed the elephant chapter to the textbook The Behavioural Biology of Zoo Animals and has presented at various zoo research conferences on his undergraduate and postgraduate work.
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) (Awarded 2025)
- Counselling Skills (Level 2) Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (Awarded 2024)
- Senior Leadership Programme The Institute of Leadership (Awarded 2023)
- Managing Safely (Health & Safety for Line Managers) Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) (Awarded 2019, Refreshed 2022)
- Principle Designer Association for Project Safety (APS) (Awarded 2021)
- Zoo Exhibit Design European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) (Awarded 2019)
- Trimble Sketchup Masterclass XChange Training (Awarded 2017)

CONSULTANT ZOO DESIGNER / LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
A passionate and talented zoological designer, Russell has over 15 years of experience in the design and construction on a variety of zoological project scales.
MA Landscape Architecture
Kansas State University USA
Graduate Thesis Title - Achieving Conservation
New Cognitive Based Zoo Design Guidelines
Russell’s passion for zoo design started in his early childhood and has led him to work for many firms specializing in zoo design and even within zoo organization’s design departments.
He has over fifteen years of experience in all aspects of the design and construction process on a variety of zoological project scales.
This experience has allowed him to lend his expertise to in-situ conservation breeding projects.
In addition to conservation, he is interested in visitor education specifically applying learning theories to the design of zoos.

Joining forces with external consultants

Over the years working within the Zoo, Visitor Attraction and Hospitality sectors, we have built up strong connections with a range of disciplines and external consultants typically involved in the design, planning and implementation of projects. Depending on the individual project needs, Dearadh Zú can offer to bring in external support on a sub-consultant basis within our team. This allows us to offer a one-stop shop for our clients. We are also more than happy to work with a range of consultants directly appointed to the client and as part of larger multi-disciplinary teams.

Working with collaborative partners is integral to creating innovative and sustainable zoo environments. At Dearadh Zú, we prioritise open communication and shared goals to ensure every project benefits from diverse expertise. By fostering strong partnerships, we achieve master plans and habitat designs that meet the needs of both animals and visitors, while supporting conservation objectives. Collaborative efforts enable us to blend creative ideas with practical solutions, resulting in engaging, educational, and ecologically sensitive spaces.