ZSL London Zoo announced that plans are moving forward to transform the Snowdon Aviary. The zoo also unveiled updated plans for the historic structure’s makeover, set to open in 2021.
The Snowdon Aviary is a Grade II* listed building and one of the zoo’s most famous structures. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015.
ZSL London Zoo will submit updated Snowdon Aviary plans to Westminster Council on Friday (March 13), revealing exciting new revisions.
International conservation charity ZSL has partnered with architects Foster + Partners to rejuvenate the Snowdon Aviary, which is set to open in 2021.
London Zoo to submit updated Snowdon Aviary plans
The new exhibit will become a soaring walk-through enclosure, offering guests a unique experience of the colobus monkeys, part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.
ZSL’s managing director of Zoos and Engagement, Rich Storton, said: “ZSL London Zoo is excited to submit these updated plans for the redesign of the landmark Snowdon Aviary, which reflect our decades of animal expertise and delivering awe-inspiring visitor experiences.”
The updates include innovative and sustainable building concepts that will enable parts of the structure to change over time, adapting to the needs of colobus monkeys, the zoo’s new residents.
Updated plans also focus on the primates’ indoor dens, which feature a new modular design. This will allow keepers to create quiet, private areas when needed.
Foster + Partners to rejuvenate the Snowdon Aviary
In 2017, ZSL secured a National Lottery grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for restoring the Snowdon Aviary.
“The makeover has always been an ambitious project, which is only right for such an iconic structure: as planning has progressed and we prepare to break ground later this year, we are refreshing the plans to future-proof the building, so that it can adapt to the changing needs of our colobus troop over time,” added Storton.
“We’re also seeking to create a new, dedicated community space within the complex, ensuring ZSL London Zoo is at the heart of the community and enabling us to bring people and wildlife even closer together.”
Elsewhere, the company behind the multimillion-pound Manchester Zoo project is in advanced talks with Rochdale Council to develop 100 acres of land near Hopwood Hall College.
