Zoo Architects chosen to design future of site
ATEAM of leading architects and designers have been appointed by Bristol Zoological Society, to help take forward plans for the redevelopment of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site.
The team is led by award-winning Penoyre & Prasad architects, who are working with LUC landscape architects and heritage and conservation specialists Alan Baxter.
Last year Bristol Zoological Society, which owns and operates Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project, announced plans to sell the Bristol Zoo Gardens site and relocate Bristol Zoo to the Wild Place Project in Easter Compton, to create a new “worldclass zoo for Bristol and the West of England”.
Bristol Zoological Society said the 12-acre zoo has been struggling with “fundamental and persistent challenges” for many years, adding the move is necessary to safeguard its future.
The Society said Penoyre & Prasad have an environment-first philosophy, making them a “natural partner” for the redevelopment.
Penoyre & Prasad have won dozens of architectural awards, including RIBA National Awards, and are known for their forwardthinking projects in sensitive locations.
Recent examples of their work include New QEII Hospital in Hertfordshire, Wolfson College at the University of Oxford and Bath Quays South.
Estate agents Savills have been appointed to support the proposals through the planning and marketing of the site.
Bristol Zoological Society are lining up a planning application which would see the Bristol Zoo Gardens site transformed into a residential-led scheme.
In May, Bristol Live reported that ambitious alternative proposals for the Bristol Zoo site would see housing plans ditched for “the world’s first augmented reality zoo” - but the zoo’s owners said a new attraction would not be viable financially.
The Society says good quality, eco-friendly low-carbon homes are “fundamental” to any potential scheme.
The green space at the heart of the site would be enhanced to encourage greater biodiversity, with consideration of public access to the gardens beyond the
Clifton Conservation Hub which is already planned.
A period of public consultation will begin over the summer when Bristol Zoological Society will be meeting with, and listening to feedback from, a range of interested groups including neighbours and Clifton residents.
Francesca Fryer, Director of Transformation at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “It’s an exciting time for us, we have a clear direction and are pleased to have appointed a strong design team who can help us realise our ambitious plans in the best possible way.
“We are looking forward to listening to all our stakeholders, including residents, and will involve them in shaping our plans. We will then share more detailed plans for the Clifton site for consultation later this year as well as updates on our exciting vision for the new Bristol Zoo at the Wild Place Project site.”
Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton will close to the public in late 2022 and Wild Place Project will remain open throughout, until it becomes the new home of Bristol Zoo in 2024.
Francesca added: “We realise the significance and importance of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site, which is why we are leading the planning process ourselves, and we want to ensure that we create an exemplar for environmentally and socially sustainable development that Bristol can be proud of.”
❝ We want to create an exemplar for environmentally and socially sustainable development that Bristol can be proud of
Francesca Fryer