Design In Print

Another immersive attraction is the Amazon
Flooded Forest towards the end of the journey.
The visitors pass through an underwater tunnel
and emerge into a rich underwater universe.
One of the first experiences after the tunnel is
the encounter with the giant river otters. The
barriers between the animals and visitors are
well disguised so the experience is much more
intimate than would typically be expected.
Another darkened tunnel leads visitors to gently
descend into a river environment; the dramatic
control of the ambient lighting from light into
darkness enhances the sense of arrival and
experience. Walking in front of acrylic viewing
panels of more than 22m in length and 4m in
height, visitors are treated to a panoramic view
of the underwater environment.
The manatees and numerous schools of fish
practically envelope the viewers, while stingrays
swim in a fan-shaped tank in the ceiling above.
Natural light permeates this space and plays
off the surface of the water while penetrating
the depths to create an almost ethereal scene
below the surface. The careful and detailed
attention to light and volume imparts a true
sense of discovery to the visitor.
The priority in the design of River Safari is to
place an emphasis on the visitor experience
and to challenge conventional thinking of zoo
interaction. Visitors are guided on a rhythmic
journey that offers intimate observation of
the exhibits in a setting that is an attraction
unto itself.
DP 13