Nature Boardwalk & Education Pavilion at Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Photo © Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing, Courtesy of Studio Gang Architect
Architects
Studio Gang
Location
Chicago
Year
2010

The project transforms a picturesque urban pond from the 19th century into an ecological habitat buzzing with life. With the design’s improvements to water quality, hydrology, landscape, accessibility, and shelter, the site is able to function as an outdoor classroom in which the co-existence of natural and urban surroundings is demonstrated.

A new boardwalk circumscribing the pond passes through various educational zones that explicate the different animals, plants, and habitat found in each. A pavilion integrated into the boardwalk sequence provides shelter for open-air classes on the site. Inspired by the tortoise shell, its laminated structure consists of prefabricated, bent-wood members and a series of interconnected fiberglass pods that give global curvature to the surface.

Related Projects

  • Perrondach Bahnhof Filisur
    Walter Bieler AG
  • Paul Reinhart Dreifach-Sporthalle
    Walter Bieler AG
  • Promenade Favorita, Lugano TI
    mavo gmbh
  • Garten Höhenweg St.Gallen
    mavo gmbh
  • Sagiareal, Greppen LU
    mavo gmbh

Magazine

Other Projects by Studio Gang

Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
Kalamazoo
WMS Boathouse at Clark Park
Chicago, IL
University of Chicago Campus North
Chicago
Beloit Powerhouse
Beloit
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Little Rock, AR