Embrace change.

Zoo design changed forever in the 1970s. The philosophy of habitat immersion first introduced by CLR’s founders has had a vast impact on the humane treatment of our wild counterparts as well as transforming the zoo experience for visitors.

Jon Coe and Gary Lee inspired generations of zoo directors to trade individual cages for immersive landscapes where animals thrive in a safe, naturalistic environment. Today, CLR Principals Mark Beauchamp, Greg Dykstra and Gregg Leicester continue the spirit of innovation with the development of activity-based design, mixed-species habitats and varied surroundings that give animals the choices and flexibility they would have in the wild.

We do this work to give animals the best possible living conditions, and to give zoos the tools they need to promote species survival. Always evolving, many zoos offer broad experiences and amenities to stay competitive. Through master planning and design, we support these features that aim to fund the institution’s conservation mission.

At CLR, we know how to put animals first. And we learned from the best.