Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
The 32,000-square-foot Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House features some of the world’s most remarkable animals and teaches the importance of preserving endangered species and their native habitats.
Design Framework Characteristics
Project Type
The Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House encompasses diverse animal exhibits and highly interactive interpretation in a unique exhibit/conservation and education center.
The building features two complementary exhibits: the Reptile and Mammal Gallery and the Ecosystem. In the gallery, diverse mini-habitat gembox exhibits compare adaptations of small mammals and reptiles from tropical to desert habitats. The illustrated reptile and mammal education stations provide exciting educational settings in which staff interpreters interact with visitors.
Passing through a giant hollow Baobab tree, the visitor enters the glass-domed Ecosystem. Focusing on habitat zones, the exhibits immerse visitors in wet and dry forest environments including typical plants and animals such as otters, monkeys, koalas and large lizards.
Project Characteristics
- Environmental Improvement Award
- ASLA Award of Merit
- Illinois Landscape Contractors Association – Gold Award, Excellence in Landscape Awards
- Indoor smaller museum displays
- Central interpretive zone
- Immersive conservatory gallery with live plants
- Classical campus/park architecture