‘Habitats.’ Dudley Zoo and Gardens

Client: Dudley Zoo

with BPN Architects

[2021]

A Landscape Strategy ‘Habitats’’ aimed to re-zone the zoo, support local biodiversity, reveal layers of site history and help to re-embed renovated Tecton Buildings back into the zoo gardens.

It was proposed that native species could combine with introduced garden elements fora series of atmospheric experiences, Spaces within these zones could also embody priority habitats defined in the The Birmingham and the Black Country Biodiversity Action Plan to reveal how local ennvironments are equally as important as those from distant countries.

It was also advised that landscape should work to change the human-animal heirarchical experience of the zoo so that environments feel shared. For example, children’s play spaces or adult walkways could shift the perspective of the visitor to the zoo animals’ habitat and local environment.

Tecton buldings and unused kiosks were seen as ideal for both wayfinding and intrepretive technologies, from mobile phone apps to intereactive video. These key small buildings should be synchronised with a wider plan to tell a rich variety of stories from local history to world conservation at their strategic locations.

Framed, clear views could also help the site user to navigate between architectural elements. Glimpses to the town(s) beyond could also locate the visitor within the town and wider area.