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Base camp - Madagascar Zone, Chester Zoo
Working in very close collaboration with BCA Landscape Architects from Liverpool, Handspring Design delivered two very involved projects at Chester Zoo for their new Madagascar themed play space. As well as physical play the design team has tried to develop more role playing and creative play into the scheme - resulting in the base camp building
Working in very close collaboration with BCA Landscape Architects from Liverpool, Handspring Design delivered two very involved projects at Chester Zoo for their new Madagascar themed play space.
As well as physical play the design team has tried to develop more role playing and creative play into the scheme - resulting in the base camp building - a field research centre complete with zoological investigation station, eating and hanging out spaces for tired young scientists. The base camp also functions as a stage and focal meeting space for the new zone.
Work undertaken
Handspring worked with the BCA Landscape team to design a timber-framed building which is based on a traditional English barn, modified to give it a tropical Madagascan feel. It has open sides and a high internal space. Colourful louvre doors can be swung into different positions to subdivide the space and, as they are porous, they enhance the tropical feel of the building.
All of the units in the base camp are made from the same Douglas fir as the building so the building and its furniture blend together. The furniture is all to scale for young children and is in a simple, robust and functional style befitting its Madagascan inspiration.
