London Zoo Tiger Enclosure

The Tiger Territory project at London Zoo was conceived as a flagship conservation initiative, focused on supporting the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, of which only around 300 remain in the wild. London Zoo had been working across the globe in a major effort to improve the fate of the Sumatran tiger, culminating with this new flagship facility. This facility not only enabled the zoo to embark on a critical breeding programme, it also allowed experts to gain valuable information that could be applied to conservation projects in the field.

The brief prioritised animal welfare, behavioural enrichment and long-term conservation outcomes. The habitat needed to provide generous space, vertical complexity and naturalistic conditions, while also delivering safe containment and an engaging visitor experience. From a visitor perspective, it was vital to offer a spectacular viewing experience with multiple perspectives, including a prominent, highly visible platform for the education department to deliver talks. All of this needed to be achieved within the existing constraints of the 186-year old site and its adjacent architecture.

We designed, manufactured and installed a highly complex tensile mesh enclosure, using stainless steel cable netting to create a fully enclosed habitat without the need for traditional rigid structures. The enclosure was formed using a series of masts, boundary cables and anchor points, with the mesh acting as both enclosure and primary structural element.

Advanced 3D modelling and patterning techniques were used to develop the geometry, enabling the creation of a flowing, irregular form that maximises usable volume while responding to the constraints of the site. This approach allowed the structure to span large areas with minimal visual obstruction, creating a lightweight enclosure that feels open and natural.

The design also introduced significant verticality, with varying heights and levels throughout the habitat. This was critical in supporting natural tiger behaviours, including climbing, resting at height and territorial observation, while maintaining safe containment and clear sightlines for visitors.

The completed enclosure has transformed Tiger Territory into one of the most advanced and immersive zoo habitats in Europe. By increasing the size of the enclosure to around five times that of the previous habitat, the project delivered a huge change in both animal welfare and visitor experience at the zoo.

The tensile mesh system allows for uninterrupted views into the enclosure, removing the visual barriers typically associated with traditional zoo design. At the same time, the structure provides a safe, secure and highly durable environment capable of withstanding long-term use.

The result is a carefully balanced solution that brings together engineering precision, environmental sensitivity and architectural ambition. It demonstrates how tensile systems can move beyond conventional applications to play a central role in conservation-led design, creating spaces that are safe, enjoyable for animals and are as functional as they are engaging.

Tiger Territory was intended to be ultimate big cat exhibit for both visitors and the cats themselves. The dramatic form of the zoo enclosure creates a wonderful sense of drama when approaching Tiger Territory through the zoo grounds, yet the unobtrusive mesh allows the enclosure to simply fade away into the background when the tigers are viewed at close quarters. ZSL London Zoo’s brand new Sumatran tiger enclosure was given the royal seal of approval on Wednesday 20th March 2013, when it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Sumatran tiger enclosure was given the ultimate seal of approval on the 3rd February 2014 when a trio of healthy cubs were born to five year old Sumatran tigress Melati. Hidden cameras in the cubbing den allowed the zoo to remotely monitor the birth and the progress of the cubs 24 hours a day, with exclusive footage released on the ZSL YouTube channel. The births are not only a huge achievement for ZSL London Zoo, but also the international breeding programme.