Summary
Santuary Asia is a fully immersive and engaging exhibit for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. The exhibit is home to eight different species, including Elephants, Rhinoceroses, Cassowarys, Red Pandas, Tufted Deer, Komodo Dragons, and the Tanuki and Langur Monkeys. This addition is part of the zoo’s mission to group animals by continent, allowing a real glimpse of how these regional animals coexist.
The exhibit features a two-story dining restaurant which not only overlooks the external exhibits, but also houses the Komodo Dragon exhibit. Each exhibit features structural dens and enclosures for the animals as well as a beautiful collaboration of rock-work, glass, masonry, concrete, caging, and fencing. The entire project has been an integration of architectural design and construction feasibility. Not only are the animals of Asian origin, but the buildings also reflect the culture and aesthetic of this continent.
The total size of this project is seven acres and houses 14 structures. This complex project involved considering different animals’ needs, while concurrently staying completely accessible and interactive for guests.
