ZSL reptile house project
We not only build aquarium displays at ATL, we build stunning zoo exhibits too. Our latest adventure into the zoo world saw us involved with the exciting new ZSL reptile house project
The team at ATL has been working alongside the Zoological Society of London or ZSL for many years now and we are all really proud of our latest collaboration. The secret life of reptiles and amphibians is the exciting newly opened ZSL reptile house project at the Regents Park site. The new building replaced the original reptile house that was built in 1926 and which featured in that now famous clip from Harry Potter
The ZSL reptile house project was created in a brand new building. As ever the space looked surprisingly large but thats before our exhibits started to arrive.
The ZSL reptile house space before we arrived and filled it up
Some of the ATL tanks in position at ZSL
ATL’s giant salamander tanks at ZSL
ATL tanks in position on the entrance walkway
Since opening the ZSL reptile house project is proving immensely popular and has already welcomed vast amounts of visitors. The new reptile house project really was ground breaking and utilises all of the latest display technology. ATL supplied over thirty high quality exhibit tanks and enclosures for the project including integral life support systems. Working on a site within the incredibly popular and always busy ZSL provides a world of challenges. Our tank deliveries were carefully staged to coincide with early mornings before the zoo gates opened to the public. Some of the larger tanks were built sectionally for access but many of them could be fully prefabricated at ATL. Installing and assembling large exhibits in a relatively small site is always a challenge and not one that many other contractors are prepared to cope with. ATL’s teams are all too familiar with this challenge and as ever worked diligently to ensure that all the other site trades could also continue to work.
Specific creature habitats were faithfully recreated by our dedicated team of in house creatives catering for many different species ranging from tiny blue dart frogs and electric blue day geckos, emerald tree boas, Crocodile lizards, giant salamanders through to Philippine crocodiles.
Richard creating decor on site at the ZSL reptile house
An example of ATL’s theming at ZSL reptile house
Plenty of natural planting at ZSL reptile project
Representing some of the world’s most astonishing diversity, residents in the new purpose-built space at the Zoo includes the world’s largest amphibian and largest aquatic frog. As well as what you see from the visitors perspective, ATL were involved with providing the bespoke designed back of house features such as lockable access doors, fang proof mesh lids, walkways and service gantry’s. The brief for all of these were they were to be lockable and fully sealed to prevent escape. We are all very pleased with the outcome.
Example of exhibit keeper access doors at ZSL reptile house
Bespoke lids over ATL exhibits
Nick installing LSS equipment under the service area gantries
ZSL mountain chicken exhibit
This exhibition features some of the rarest, some critically endangered, most unique reptiles and amphibians on Earth, from the snake-eating king cobra to mountain chickens are being saved from the brink of extinction and can be seen at ZSL. ZSL’s captive breeding programme is legendary and the ZSL reptile house project equitably houses creatures spanning across the globe, with habitats closely replicating the dense rainforests of South America, mountain jungles in Asia and giant dormant volcanoes in the Cameroon. The projects overall design really has revolutionised the way that zoo’s create modern reptile exhibits and the entire ATL team is very proud to have been heavily involved in delivering that process. We look forward to seeing how the project evolves and matures and of course working with the ZSL team on their future projects. For more details about this amazing project take a look at the following
