Britain’s first ‘walk through’ experience will be renovated by ‘Foster and Partners’
Foster and Partners were chosen as the architects to renovate the famous ‘Snowdon Aviary’ . The structure which lies at the ZSL London Zoo was originally designed by Cedric Price, Frank Newby and Lord Snowdon. It was Britain’s first aviary with a ‘walk through’ experience offering one of a kind experience that is close to the birds and their habitat. The renovated structure will offer a new passage through the habitat of the ‘Colobus monkeys’.
“We are honoured and delighted to be working on the redevelopment of the Snowdon Aviary – a rare example of a completed work by Cedric Price. I also have a particular personal affection for it as it shows most strongly the influence of our mutual friend and mentor Buckminster Fuller. The redevelopment of the aviary is a unique opportunity to preserve this exceptional structure and the legacy of pioneering architecture at ZSL London Zoo. It will be a great privilege to be able to contribute to the tradition of contemporary architectural additions at one of London’s most cherished institutions.” Says Norman Foster, Chairman and Founder of Foster and Partners.
“ZSL London Zoo is an unusual microcosm of British architectural history. Since its earliest days, it has been a proud patron to many leading architects, and is today home to many notable works of architecture. Decimus Burton, who designed the Clock Tower and Giraffe House in the mid-1800s; Tecton, who were responsible for the Grade I listed Penguin Pool and Round House gorilla enclosure in the 1960s; Sir Hugh Casson and Neville Condor, architects of the Elephant House during the same period; have all contributed to this extraordinary collection of pioneering structures at the Zoo.” Foster and Partners.
