Information

Gibbon Exhibit Building and Habitat

The project for the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore calls for a new exhibit building and outdoor habitat to house the zoo’s Gibbon population. Gibbons are small apes who originate from the tropical and subtropical rain forests of southeast Asia and Indonesia. They live in the forest and prefer to stay high up in the tree canopy.

The Gibbon building provides enclosed, and climate controlled spaces which include a day room for the Gibbon residents, coupled with a visitor viewing area. Animal staff and holding rooms, as well as mechanical and building support spaces are located on the service side of the building.

A large glass screen spanning the width of the day room and visitor spaces separates and connects people and Gibbons. The volume of the indoor habitat (“day room”) for the Gibbons is designed to accommodate tall climbing timbers that simulate the forest canopy where the primates like to reside. Large windows in the guest viewing space also enjoy expansive views to the adjacent outdoor habitat.

The interior environment for the dayroom and visitor space employs a color palette inspired by the Gibbon’s natural forest habitat.