Grasslands Masterplan : Chester Zoo
Services provided:
Concept Design
Stakeholder Engagement & Workshops
Landscape & Exhibit Design
Soft Landscape design
3D model / CGI Visualisations
Planning Application Support
Detailed Design
Production of Landscape tender packages
Chester Zoo Expansion - Grasslands
Project overview
Grasslands is a new landscape led Masterplan development at Chester Zoo.
Following the successful implementation of Islands, Chester zoo set about to develop their next themed area. Gillespies were appointed to lead the development of the Landscape led Masterplan for this area, working as the design lead of a multidisciplinary team. This new zone would become known as ‘Grasslands’ and later the ‘Heart of Africa’. Jonathan McLoughlin on behalf of Gillespies was the lead designer for the project, coordinating the masterplans development from concept stage through to planning and tender within the wider external and internal teams. The team developed proposals for a Riba Stage 03 masterplan, which included developing key strategies, but also develop detail habitat design proposals for the animal exhibits. This lengthy design development involved working closely with the zoo’s animal, horticulture, education, sustainability and architecture teams.
Project features
The 27-acre site, which currently hosts the zoo’s African Wild Dogs and Black Rhinos, would be developed to include a large central African Village and themed restaurant and events space, overlooking an expansive grassland. Approximately 55 species will be included within the development, and the proposals will allow the zoo to introduce new species to its existing collection. Proposed animal habitats include a large mixed species savannah area, vulture cliff, African wetland aviary and a range of smaller Kopje habitats scattered throughout the landscape with species ranging from DikDik, Meerkat, Aardvark and Love Birds.
The scheme includes a variety of indoor animal housing areas, e.g., a new giraffe house and ungulate houses. New planting has been selected to complement the site and the ‘Grassland’ theme, in addition to utilising landforms to create a range of unique viewing opportunities for visitors, thereby enriching the scheme. The immersive experience of ‘Grasslands’ will extend to include a new area for overnight accommodation. This area will include 56 lodges, new dining and event facilities. All styled to reflect an African game reserve, with views onto a second expansive Giraffe habitat. The inclusion of which allows the zoo to become a two-day visitor attraction.
Client : North England Zoological Society
Location : Chester, UK
Year : 2018- 2020 (Construction - Ongoing)
Project Team : Gillespies / BDP / RLB
