The team at Paradise Zoo contacted us in need of engineering expertise in designing and building a robust animal enclosure for their ‘Jaguar Jungle’, a first of its kind habitat in the UK for Jaguars with underwater viewing, set to open this year.
Our in-house expert Andy Traynor proposed a solution of a stainless steel cable net structure that would provide the stability and safety required for these category 1 animals.
The 32m x 30m net enclosure is split into two areas, one large and one smaller with a dividing wall and 5 net sections within, those sections are then stitched to the roof net cables along the perimeter beam. The central masts hold up a series of roof net cables that fan out to join the perimeter steelwork.
We designed, engineered and installed the 31 stainless steel structural cables and erected the 5 steel nets to cover the entire roof area of the enclosure, fixing to existing masts. The cable net is engineered to withstand all wind and snow loadings to ensure continued protection.
The result is a sleek and robust enclosure that maximises habitat space and animal welfare whilst providing visitor safety. The team at the zoo were very pleased with their new structure, Craig Whitnall, Commercial Director said “I couldn’t speak more highly of Base Structures, from the initial enquiry for advice, Andy has been an excellent source of advice and support”
For more information on the Jaguar Jungle visit the Paradise Wildlife Park website: New Jaguar Habitat coming soon… | Paradise Wildlife Park (pwpark.com)
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Arup approached Base to be involved in this ground breaking project for Urban-Air Port and Six Miles Across London Ltd (small.) to install the first Vertiport to serve as a drone hub called Air One. This structure is the blueprint for the first of many as Urban-Air Port have ambitious plans to install around 200 Vertiports worldwide in the next 5 years.
Base designed, manufactured and installed the external fabric cladding roof & wall panels as well as the internal drum wall window panels, circumjacent to the moveable FATO drone launchpad in the structure’s centre. A number of other elements within the structure were also provided by Base, including a polycarbonate pelmet, skirt and door surrounds.
With multiple trades and designers involved in this complicated & intricate project, collaboration & coordination was key to making it a success. With an incredibly tight installation programme, there was no scope for error, and we were pleased to successfully install our element of the project on programme & in only 4 weeks!
The final result is a stunning 17,000 ft² structure that will be a great showcase to launchpad an example of Urban-Air Port’s plans for more Vertiports.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Located in the heart of England at Twycross Zoo, The Gruffalo Discovery Land has been developed in partnership with brand managers Magic Light Pictures and is inspired by the best-selling picture book The Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The aim of the four-acre experience is to educate and inspire the next generation about conservation – something that is critical to the future of many species as well as the planet.
Wates Smart Space working with Twycross Zoo approached us to help them develop a scheme for a new replacement Owl Aviary at the zoo. With a recent increase in avian flu at the time, the zoo were concerned about cross contamination with other smaller native wild birds.
We worked with the team at Wates to identify a more suitable finer mesh that would prevent other birds from entering the enclosure, and significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
We designed, engineered and erected the timber frames, stainless steel knit mesh, keepers vestibules, owl boxes and two gates as part of the project.
The result is a more robust owl enclosure that helps prevent risk of cross contamination whilst still maximizing habitat space and animal welfare.
The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo is open from Saturday 9th April 2022. To buy tickets, go to www.twycrosszoo.org/the-gruffalo-discovery-land
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Wiltshire College required a refurbishment of their agricultural campus, Lackham and specifically of the Animal Care site.
We were approached by the main contractor Rigg Construction, as part of this project to design, supply and install 5 new external animal enclosures, to house Mcaws, Lemurs, Racoons, Otters, Marmosets and Ferrets.
We erected the timber frames from glulam and eco-friendly animal friendly preserved timber then installed a range of different mesh fabrics and steels according to the safety requirements for each type of animal.
The result is an attractive new set of enclosures that maximise animal living space and welfare.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Base Structures were originally approached by the Zoo to offer their expertise to design an enclosure and aviary solution for a number of new home’s for Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques, Rhinoceros hornbill’s and Bali starlings, on the new £40m development, Island Projects, at Chester Zoo.
The main focus as always with any type of zoo enclosure is on the animal welfare, therefore very careful consideration was given on the selection and approach for the mesh netting, to ensure these critically endangered and beautiful species were provided with a safe and secure environment.
Utilising our network of specialist suppliers, we were able to select the appropriate stainless steel mesh product, and design an interface solution with other substrates on the enclosure, in a way that the orangutan in particular could not unpick or find a weakness.
The macaque enclosure, and hornbill and Bali starlings aviaries although less challenging, specific detail still had to be considered with regard to minimal visual impact, and a protective and secure environment for the apes and birds.
All of the enclosures and aviaries were delivered on time and to programme, through some challenging weather conditions, and the end client was extremely satisfied with the end result, that is the animals of course!
Bristol Zoo asked us to help with a new primate enclosure for the Howler monkeys.
Base helped to design and build a habitat that maximised space and openness by incorporating natural features and using knotted 0.5mm gauge stainless steel wire, mechanically fixed to structural cables.
The innovative knotted 0.5mm wire provides a safe and monkey-proof enclosure for the howler monkeys as well as an unobtrusive visual experience for visitors.
This project was an exciting new build as part of Bristol Zoo’s development into their primate area including a enclosure for the Lemurs.
This enclosure was roofed and walled in durable and tough Polyethylene knotted net, hand stitched and mechanically fixed to the structural cables. Our installation team were able to put their professional climbing skills and working at height expertise into good use on this enclosure, as well as their expertise in making the netting monkey-proof!
As part of a refurbishment to an existing zoo structure, Base were asked to provide a cost effective solution to the net wall and roof replacement for the Bat enclosure at Bristol Zoo.
Using a black, knotless polypropylene net, this is a product with excellent durability, being both rot proof and UV stable. These nets were mechanically fixed to structural cables providing a safe and happy home for the animals.
Bat photography by Bristol Zoo.
As part of a project housing for an existing zoo enclosure, Base Structures were asked to find the perfect solution for Bristol Zoo’s flamingo aviary.
For this project, we were able to provide the materials and expertise to wall and roof this structure in Polypropylene knotless mesh.
The resultant complete refurbishment of the area provides the flamingos with a lifelike habitat and for the public, an exciting walk through structure.
A large walk-through aviary structure was needed for the popular visitor attraction, Birdworld in Farnham, Surrey. This project was to be designed as a seashore zoo enclosure to house nesting Hammerkop, waders and other coastal birds that are part of the international breeding program, helping to ensure the survival of their species.
We decided to use tough 25x25mm knotted fire-rated polyethelene as it is a visually unobtrusive material, almost creating an invisible effect. A primary design feature for this aviary is that the netting is designed to be easily raised and lowered from within the enclosure by a system of ropes and pulleys. This provides incredibly easy access to the netting for maintenance and repair without the inconvenience of using access machinery, ensuring time and cost savings for the entire future of the structure.
Another key consideration in designing and installing this aviary was for it to have as low an environmental impact as possible, in both it’s material specification and construction techniques. Therefore, fully engineered timber posts were selected to support the netting and installation techniques were used that required no concrete for the foundations, making huge environmental savings.
With the help of their new visually appealing and environmentally friendly enclosure, the coastal birds live on!
in Bristol
