children's nature zoo

location: Asheboro, NC
est. completion date: TBD
project team:
Frank Harmon
Ashley Ozburn

problem statement

The North Carolina Zoo is recognized as one of the nation’s finest zoos. It was the first "natural habitat" zoo in America, presenting animals and plants in exhibits that closely resemble where they would be found in the wild.

The zoo’s Children’s Nature Discovery Center will sit on a sloping hillside in the heart of the North America section. The project will provide a play experience in a natural environment to develop children’s empathy for the natural world through sensory activities, close encounters with animals and plants, and self-initiated exploration. The project includes a large space for birthday celebrations, staff offices, animal holding areas, and a space designated for animal encounters and art activities. A covered porch will span the front of the building, overlooking the discovery site below. The Center will sit in the middle of a larger site where fallen trees, mud holes, grassy hillocks, and a large play stream will encourage children to “get dirty” and explore the natural world in their own state. The project’s green architecture and landscaping will also serve as a tool for teaching children to live responsibly in the natural environment.

our design response

The project is in the Design Development phase. Prototype Play Settings have been constructed at the Zoo for the summer to test and observe the children’s’ response.