At a Glance
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2
Acres
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Offices
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Client
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Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
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Partners
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VIQAD
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Architect
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Dasher Hurst Architects, PJA Architects + Landscape Architects
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Award
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AIA Jacksonville Design Award of Excellence, Commercial Unbuilt Category 2024
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Offices
- Client
-
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Partners
-
- VIQAD
- Architect
- Dasher Hurst Architects, PJA Architects + Landscape Architects
- Award
- AIA Jacksonville Design Award of Excellence, Commercial Unbuilt Category 2024
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Manatees are one of Florida’s most beloved mammals. These slow-moving but agile aquatic herbivores are a federally protected threatened species. With loss of habitat and encounters with boats causing injuries and distress, intervention is often necessary. Looking to treat more rescued manatees, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens expanded their Manatee Critical Care Center as part of Dasher Hurst Architects’ design of the zoo’s new front entry.
The new Manatee River exhibit includes three main pools at the zoo entrance and four back-of-house pools. The three main pools recreate a North Florida river habitat with native fish, reptiles, and birds. These pools allow for three groups of manatees to be separated at one time. However, if separation isn’t needed, the whole group can swim from one side to the other as out in their natural habitat. The four pools in the back are used to supplement the manatees’ swim route and can be used for separation and medical treatment. Combined, these pools hold more than 350,000 gallons (1.3 million litres) of water. The project also includes a life support system building to treat the water.
With this new exhibit, rescued manatees will be able to recover in familiar surroundings. Guests will also have a rare opportunity to view these gentle giants in their natural habitat and learn more about their protection and conservation.
Dasher Hurst Architects is the architect of record for the zoo’s new front entry design. PJA Architects + Landscape Architects was the architect of record for the Manatee Critical Care Center, a part of this entry area. PJA and VIQAD were responsible for concept design development through construction documents for this center. That work was completed in July 2023. Exhibit construction began in October 2023. Former members of PJA joined Stantec and, in January 2024, Dasher Hurst added Stantec to the project to provide renderings and construction administration services.
" }At a Glance
-
2
Acres
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Offices
-
-
Client
-
-
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
-
-
Partners
-
-
VIQAD
-
-
Architect
-
Dasher Hurst Architects, PJA Architects + Landscape Architects
-
Award
-
AIA Jacksonville Design Award of Excellence, Commercial Unbuilt Category 2024
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Offices
- Client
-
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Partners
-
- VIQAD
- Architect
- Dasher Hurst Architects, PJA Architects + Landscape Architects
- Award
- AIA Jacksonville Design Award of Excellence, Commercial Unbuilt Category 2024