ZooMazium? That Sounds Crazium!
But it sure sounds like fun for the kiddies!
I just caught an interesting article (link to follow) about the LEED Gold certification of this Woodland Park Zoo (in Seattle) project.
So what exactly is the ‘ZooMazium’?
From the ZooMazium website:
Zoomazium is an indoor, all-weather facility that incorporates spectacular multimedia features with fun, interactive nature-themed areas devoted to play and learning for children birth to 8 years of age (though all ages are welcome!).
All the exhibits within Zoomazium have been designed for whole-bodied, imaginative play, as well as integration with existing zoo programs. The building is divided into several play areas, including active spaces for exploratory play, a stage for theatrical demonstrations, storytelling and video presentations, a Project Place and Nature Exchange for guided learning. What could be more fun than exploring a mountain cave, crossing a rope bridge in the tree canopy, discovering what lies beneath a savanna water hole or even climbing a 20-foot tree?! All this and more are awaiting discovery for young children interested in nature.
My own love and respect for nature was instilled at a very young age by my father, so needless to say I’m a huge fan of nature education programs for kids! I believe wholeheartedly that a major reason for people not being more environmentally conscious is the fact that many of us have lost that connection with the natural world - sure we may see it on TV or go look at in on the weekends in the summer, but I think it’s just become another form of entertainment or worse still an annoyance.
Anyway…back to the ZooMazium…I think it’s fantastic that the zoo is going the extra mile to make the facility ‘green’ as well. This is also another great way to show the children (and us big kids) the importance of respecting the earth.
Here are some of it’s cool green features:
Green roof – The vegetated roof system is planted not just with grass, but with approximately 21,000 plants native to the Puget Sound region to aid in the natural reduction of stormwater runoff. It simulates a temperate forest floor habitat complete with sword ferns, salal, lupine and more. City of Seattle and the zoo are collaborating to document the effect on reducing stormwater runoff.
· Energy conservation – Energy use is minimized and flexibility of use is maximized through careful selection of energy-efficient lighting and natural heating and cooling systems. Solar shading allows for natural daylight harvesting, both in the main exhibit space and lower administrative areas, provided by existing trees on the site. Overhangs, screens and adjacent foliage keep the building cool in summer months, and natural daylight harvesting offsets the need for artificial lighting in the building.
· Sustainable materials – The columns and trusses, the primary structural elements in Zoomazium, are made of glu-laminated timbers that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC serves as a benchmark for sustainable forest practices to enhance wildlife habitats and ecology through better stewardship of timber forests.
· Green solar screens – Planted walls are strategically placed to screen staff office area windows, which filter low early sunlight and reduce heat gain.
· Patterned glass – White dots on the windows of Zoomazium help reduce the likelihood of bird strikes by using pattern glass called “fritting.” The pattern allows it to be more visible to wildlife from the exterior, while appearing clear from the inside. Through Mithun’s consultation with an expert ornithologist, the new glass technology makes Zoomazium one of the first buildings in the nation to address the prevalent issue of bird strikes, which often result in bird deaths. The patterned glass also serves to reduce solar heat gain in the building.
· Recycled content materials – Recycled content products are used wherever possible, such as the carpeting and walk-off mats.
· Raised access floor – This system allows a great deal of flexibility in the future for changing exhibits and program elements; it houses water pipes and electrical wiring underneath. The access floor allows exhibits to evolve as program needs change, without drastically changing the building’s construction or expending additional energy and resources.
Be sure to check out the full article: Zoomazium is Awarded LEED Gold
Technorati Tags: zoomazium, zoo, seattle, woodland park zoo, LEED, green building, green construction, green roof, recycling, education, nature, energy conservation, sustainability, environment
Written by Bentley on January 31st, 2007 with
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