New Western Sydney Zoo to feature best practice sustainability

Plans for the new ‘cage free’ Western Sydney Zoo will be led by best-practice sustainability objectives, according to the project’s lead architects Misho + Associates.

The plans for the 16.5-hectare attraction to be built in the Western Sydney Parklands are currently being compiled by  Misho + Associates (M+A) in conjunction with landscape architecture from Aspect Studios, masterplanning from JBA, and engineering consultancy from Lindsay Dynan and Evolve Engineering.

With energy conservation in mind, the architects have proposed buildings related to their neighbouring landscape in colour, material and scale. M+A’s plans also consider embodied energy and sustainability of all building materials and resources used. Main materials for buildings will be prefabricated concrete, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and recycled timber – all chosen on the basis of sustainability.

Offering as many as 200 exhibition areas, as well as open spaces, animal viewing areas and 24 eco-friendly buildings, the zoo will also offer an Australian first, with green roof habitats.

M+A says its “simple palette of materials will be detailed carefully to create an impression of quality and longevity”.

The architect’s design has a lack of applied decoration to the buildings, with layers of light and shadow used over proposed structures instead.

Sustainability is a theme throughout the plans, with a local policy on material sourcing, photovoltaic energy for new buildings where possible, Split System Air Conditioners only where essential and an advanced water management policy for the development.

Announced in September, the $36 million attraction could house up to 500 animals and is expected to draw around 745,000 visitors each year.

A Development Application has been lodged with NSW Planning & Environment and is currently open to public submission.

According to the project schedule, the attraction will open in 2017.

Image shows an artists impressions of the proposed Sydney Zoo.

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