Kaunas Zoo Project | Diogo Cunha

Overview

Naturalistic rockwork and grotto habitats built into the zoo's animal enclosures.

Project Brief

Zoo Habitat, Kaunas, Lithuania.

The Challenge

A zoo habitat has to read as natural rock, reef or carved stone up close, and still meet the structure, safety and schedule demands of a live build.

The Solution

Scope on this project: grottos, habitats and rockwork. Delivered as Master in Artificial Rock Work with Pangea Rocks.

The Outcome

A finished zoo habitat at Kaunas Zoo, Kaunas, Lithuania.

01

Cave and overhang forms that give animals shade and cover.

02

Animal enclosures designed around the needs of the species living in them.

03

Artificial rock surfaces shaped and textured to read as natural stone at close range.

10 photos

Typical build sequence for themed rockwork

Design
Forms, levels and colour references agreed from the concept or 3D design before work starts.
Armature
Steel bent and fixed to carry the final shape, with mesh tied over it as the base for the surface.
Shotcrete
Sprayed concrete built up over the mesh in layers to form the rock shell.
Carving
Texture, strata and cracks cut by hand while the surface is still workable.
Paint
Base coats, washes and dry brushing, worked until the surface reads as real.

Methods