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Who we
are
Philosophy
Gail
Y. B. Lash, Ph.D.
Nevin
Lash, ASLA
What we
do
• Master Planning
• Zoological Design
• Visitor Services
• Community Ecotourism
• Peace Education
Selected
Projects
Master Planning
Zoological Exhibits
Ecotourism
Projects
Peace Projects
Selected
Publications
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Project
Brief
Zoo Ljubljana
Master Plan
Ljubljana,
Slovenia
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Final Master Plan drawing
INTRODUCTION
The
Master Plan document is the culmination of a series of Workshops and
Worksessions undertaken with the Zoo Ljubljana Staff and Ursa
International during 2005-2007. This report documents the design
process for the Master Plan for Zoo Ljubljana, Slovenia. The
workshops consisted of three to four days of group meetings and work
sessions that seek to develop an approved Master Plan for the 35
hectare site. It is with great pleasure that we at Ursa
International had the privilege to work with the Zoo Ljubljana staff to
determine a bold new direction for the Zoo, representing a direction
that will sustain it for over the next 25 years and beyond.
The
act of re-building Zoo Ljubljana is an act of re-birth. In order
for Zoo Ljubljana to remain relevant to the community, it has to be
brought up to date comparable to it’s peers and be re-born in the
21st Century. All over the world, zoos are becoming much more
than a collection of animals in a park. It is now important to
become Conservation Centers and Education Centers and Research
Centers. Know longer is it acceptable to house animals in less
than ideal conditions for their year-round health and comfort, in just
the same way it is no longer acceptable to not provide highest level of
visitor services and satisfaction for their guests and visitors.
The New Zoo, if it’s to take on the important role of Educating
the Children, it must be re-born as an innovative and interactive place
that it can be. It is already the #2 tourist attraction in
Slovenia.
The
report and drawings represent the major changes that need to be
undertaken in order to present a more modern approach to zoological
management. We have developed a Master Plan in nine major Exhibit
Zones that can be developed over time. Exhibit Concepts for:
Zoo
Entry Plaza
American Tropics
Australian
Walkabout Savanna Safari
African
Forest Pavilion Asian Forest
Slovene
Farmyard
Slovene Wildlife
Service
and Support
This
is not the old Zoo Ljubljana - this is so much more and it’s time
to make this happen. The Mayor has listed this project as one of
his top 100, and plan to work with the central government to facilitate
the funding needed. The first two project will be the Service
Center and Bear/Wolf Exhibit and we have produced Concept Plans for
them to begin the process.
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Phase I Projects
Bear and Wolf
Exhibit
Three interconnected
habitats (totalling 10,000 m2 - 2.5 acres) that allow for a mixed
species exhibit for Slovene Brown Bear and Grey Wolves, with
several environmental zones and cultural places. An on-grade
viewing area provides views into two exhibits from a spruce glade, with
environmental artifacts related to the karst landscape that these bears
live in. Various viewing conditions exist along a new boardwalk
platform with Slovene-style farm houses, and interpretive buildings
with animal holding below. The service access enters from a
reused visitor trail to allow easy access to the animals on this
mountainous site.
Services Center
In the most remote
corner of the site, adjacent to the main roadway, is a Service
and Support Area that is off-limits to the general public. A
major new 2 story building is planned to house the veterinary clinic,
holding on the upper level and animal food preparation kitchen, keeper
office and locker room, laundry, restrooms on the lower level.
There will also be a separate building for quarantine with additional
off-exhibit holding yards off this new barn. Separate hay storage
and food storage facilities will be provided with easy truck
access. Facilities are available for truck wheel cleaning water
collection.
This facility has been programmed to fit the requirements of the
services staff and consulting veterinarian and will consolidate all the
animal care staff within a non-public area. Consideration has
been given for Green technologies use such as Green roofs, passive
solar orientation for lighting and water harvesting.
Credits
- Zoo Ljubljana Master Plan
was
designed by Ursa
International
- in collaboration with
- Zoo
Ljubljana Staff including:
- Zdenka
Fischinger
- Barbara
Mihelic
- and
special assistance from:
- Monika
Fiby, Zoolex
- Vienna,
Austria
Phase I Projects
designed in collaboration with:
Perkins+Will, Architects
and
MESA, Landscape
Architects
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Project Data
Design began:
Winter
2005
target
budget: 50 million Euro
client: The
City of Ljubljana
client
contact: Barbara Mihelic
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