Zoos + Aquariums

Welcome to the wilder side of GLMV, where our dedicated team is reimagining today’s zoos. We’re on the forefront of immersive design, working tirelessly to enhance both the guest experience and the quality of life for animals. Our team knows that zoos are uniquely poised to promote conservation efforts and public interest in issues that may otherwise seem a world away. And that’s just what we do, through barrier-breaking exhibits, master planning and business advising, large-scale landscaping, and design for front entries, foodservice, and education centers. In this studio, projects are inspired by nature, and designed by GLMV.

Inspire the Look of Tomorrow

If our portfolio speaks to you, please get in touch. Think of what we could create together...

 

Sedgwick County Zoo | Martha C. Buford Safari Express

Sedgwick County Zoo | Martha C. Buford Safari Express

Sedgwick County Zoo | Martha C. Buford Safari Express

Sedgwick County Zoo | Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek

Home to Amur leopards, snow leopards, Amur tigers, and red pandas, the Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek is a complex habitat designed for flexibility, exceptional animal welfare, and breeding.  

Sedgwick County Zoo | Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek

Sedgwick County Zoo | Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek

Home to Amur leopards, snow leopards, Amur tigers, and red pandas, the Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek is a complex habitat designed for flexibility, exceptional animal welfare, and breeding.  

Akron Zoo | Wild Asia

This project sits on 2-acres with 40 feet of elevation change. With the to make the site universally accessible, GLMV team opted to work with the grade change, rather than against it. The team wove an accessible path across the site and used the existing topography to communicate the broad range of Asian animals on a relatively small site. This $7.9 million project achieved LEED v4 Certification.

Akron Zoo | Wild Asia

Akron Zoo | Wild Asia

This project sits on 2-acres with 40 feet of elevation change. With the to make the site universally accessible, GLMV team opted to work with the grade change, rather than against it. The team wove an accessible path across the site and used the existing topography to communicate the broad range of Asian animals on a relatively small site. This $7.9 million project achieved LEED v4 Certification.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | Australian Adventures

This habitat brings an engaging and immersive experience to guests, showcasing unique desert species native to Australia. Bennett’s wallabies are the stars in this sunny habitat, but other species include mammals, birds and reptiles.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | Australian Adventures

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | Australian Adventures

This habitat brings an engaging and immersive experience to guests, showcasing unique desert species native to Australia. Bennett’s wallabies are the stars in this sunny habitat, but other species include mammals, birds and reptiles.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Front Entry & Administration Building

This new entrance, administrative building, and expanded gift shop at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS improves guest experience by shortening wait times, providing more space to move around, and moving several zoo services under one roof.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Front Entry & Administration Building

Sedgwick County Zoo | Front Entry & Administration Building

This new entrance, administrative building, and expanded gift shop at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS improves guest experience by shortening wait times, providing more space to move around, and moving several zoo services under one roof.

Living Desert Zoo And Gardens | Rhino Savannah

Covering over 4-acres, this sprawling multi-species and state-of-the-art habitat is home to 12 African species. With its progressive approach and visionary innovations, Rhino Savanna is setting the trajectory for the future of zoo design and animal care.

Living Desert Zoo And Gardens | Rhino Savanna

Living Desert Zoo And Gardens | Rhino Savannah

Covering over 4-acres, this sprawling multi-species and state-of-the-art habitat is home to 12 African species. With its progressive approach and visionary innovations, Rhino Savanna is setting the trajectory for the future of zoo design and animal care.

Sunset Zoo | Expedition Asia

At just over an acre, this multi-species habitat is home to some of the most charismatic and endangered species in Asia and serves as the first project built from the Zoo’s master plan. With a forward-focus on empathy building, conservation and education, Expedition Asia not only provides major upgrades to the care facilities for Malayan tigers, sloth bears and Amur leopards, but also an enhanced visitor experience with ADA-compliant access to the oldest part of this historic Zoo.

Sunset Zoo | Expedition Asia

Sunset Zoo | Expedition Asia

At just over an acre, this multi-species habitat is home to some of the most charismatic and endangered species in Asia and serves as the first project built from the Zoo’s master plan. With a forward-focus on empathy building, conservation and education, Expedition Asia not only provides major upgrades to the care facilities for Malayan tigers, sloth bears and Amur leopards, but also an enhanced visitor experience with ADA-compliant access to the oldest part of this historic Zoo.

Riverbanks Zoo & Aquarium | The Boyd Foundation Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center

The Boyd Family Aquarium and Reptile Center will serve to tell the story of critically important conservation work championed by Riverbanks Zoo and Aquarium. A 30-year-old building is transformed into a multi-sensory experience, immersing guests in environments from all over the world.

Riverbanks Zoo & Aquarium | Renovation

Riverbanks Zoo & Aquarium | The Boyd Foundation Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center

The Boyd Family Aquarium and Reptile Center will serve to tell the story of critically important conservation work championed by Riverbanks Zoo and Aquarium. A 30-year-old building is transformed into a multi-sensory experience, immersing guests in environments from all over the world.

Roger Williams Park Zoo | Faces of The Rainforest

This highly immersive habitat experience includes a 10,000-square-foot interior which highlights biodiversity and the importance of rainforests in our global ecosystem. Working alongside curatorial and animal care staff, the GLMV team brought to life the star attraction of this indoor tropical forest habitat, the Giant Otters of South America, for guests to be fascinated by these aquatic mammals, while providing superlative environments both on and off exhibit.

Roger Williams Park Zoo | Faces of The Rainforest

Roger Williams Park Zoo | Faces of The Rainforest

This highly immersive habitat experience includes a 10,000-square-foot interior which highlights biodiversity and the importance of rainforests in our global ecosystem. Working alongside curatorial and animal care staff, the GLMV team brought to life the star attraction of this indoor tropical forest habitat, the Giant Otters of South America, for guests to be fascinated by these aquatic mammals, while providing superlative environments both on and off exhibit.

Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center | Kay McFarland Japanese Garden

Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, Topeka, KS

Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center | Kay McFarland Japanese Garden

Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center | Kay McFarland Japanese Garden

Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, Topeka, KS

Sedgwick County Zoo | Zambezi River Valley

Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, the most recent addition, is one of the largest elephant habitats in the world and features two large yards, a soft-surface barn, guest viewing pavilion, and a boat ride with the animals, all spanning over 11 acres.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Zambezi River Valley

Sedgwick County Zoo | Zambezi River Valley

Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, the most recent addition, is one of the largest elephant habitats in the world and features two large yards, a soft-surface barn, guest viewing pavilion, and a boat ride with the animals, all spanning over 11 acres.

Topeka Zoo | Camp Cowabunga

This project in Topeka, Kansas features a 2,000-square-foot interpretive and educational space with dramatic views into a new patas monkey exhibit.

Camp Cowabunga – Zoo

Topeka Zoo | Camp Cowabunga

This project in Topeka, Kansas features a 2,000-square-foot interpretive and educational space with dramatic views into a new patas monkey exhibit.

Naples Zoo | Front Entry Design

GLMV Zoos designed this four-acre complex in Old Florida style to include guest amenities and a 7,500-square-foot education facility, which aims to be the environmental education hub in southwest Florida. The building includes up to four flexible indoor classrooms as well as outdoor classrooms. The project is projected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Naples Zoo | Front Entry Design

Naples Zoo | Front Entry Design

GLMV Zoos designed this four-acre complex in Old Florida style to include guest amenities and a 7,500-square-foot education facility, which aims to be the environmental education hub in southwest Florida. The building includes up to four flexible indoor classrooms as well as outdoor classrooms. The project is projected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Zoo Boise | Master Plan

This collaborative Master Plan is organized into three phases and includes “high impact” unphased projects. The Plan addresses important infrastructure upgrades, exciting new habitats and species, and outlines an achievable path forward for the next 15+ years.

Zoo Boise | Master Plan

Zoo Boise | Master Plan

This collaborative Master Plan is organized into three phases and includes “high impact” unphased projects. The Plan addresses important infrastructure upgrades, exciting new habitats and species, and outlines an achievable path forward for the next 15+ years.

John Ball Zoo | Adaptive Master Plan

The John Ball Zoo Adaptive Master Plan set out to build upon previous Master Plan work undertaken over the last 10 years. Rather than re-creating the entire zoo, the intent was to efficiently identify immediately impactful projects, long-term goals, and critical improvements necessary to meet the growing needs of guests and the animals that call John Ball Zoo home.

John Ball Zoo | Adaptive Master Plan

John Ball Zoo | Adaptive Master Plan

The John Ball Zoo Adaptive Master Plan set out to build upon previous Master Plan work undertaken over the last 10 years. Rather than re-creating the entire zoo, the intent was to efficiently identify immediately impactful projects, long-term goals, and critical improvements necessary to meet the growing needs of guests and the animals that call John Ball Zoo home.

North Carolina Zoo | Master Plan

When the largest zoo in the world wanted to develop a vision capable of transforming a region, they asked us to partner with them. The expanded Zoo will be a hub for recreational tourism and development in the eastern U.S. and aspires to triple its economic impact in the region to reach $300 million in annual spending and create an added 3,000 jobs to further bolster the economy.

North Carolina Zoo | Master Plan

North Carolina Zoo | Master Plan

When the largest zoo in the world wanted to develop a vision capable of transforming a region, they asked us to partner with them. The expanded Zoo will be a hub for recreational tourism and development in the eastern U.S. and aspires to triple its economic impact in the region to reach $300 million in annual spending and create an added 3,000 jobs to further bolster the economy.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Mini-Master Plan

The goal of creating a Mini-Master Plan for Sedgwick County Zoo was to identify quick win, high impact projects. By examining opportunities to reinvigorate areas of the Zoo, improve the guest experience, and apply innovative advancements in animal welfare and technology, this Plan designates a set of projects realizable in less than 5 years for under $1 million.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Mini-Master Plan

Sedgwick County Zoo | Mini-Master Plan

The goal of creating a Mini-Master Plan for Sedgwick County Zoo was to identify quick win, high impact projects. By examining opportunities to reinvigorate areas of the Zoo, improve the guest experience, and apply innovative advancements in animal welfare and technology, this Plan designates a set of projects realizable in less than 5 years for under $1 million.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Master Plan

The Master Plan for the Sedgwick County Zoo seeks to transform the Zoo into one of the largest multi-day destinations in Kansas. The plan seeks to create more activities in all areas of the Zoo, increase the number of visitors, enhance guests’ interactions with the animals and focus on animal welfare. Visitors will see more space for animals, an enhanced zoo-geographic organization, exceptional animal care, and an increased focus on the Zoo’s core value of conservation.

Sedgwick County Zoo | Master Plan

Sedgwick County Zoo | Master Plan

The Master Plan for the Sedgwick County Zoo seeks to transform the Zoo into one of the largest multi-day destinations in Kansas. The plan seeks to create more activities in all areas of the Zoo, increase the number of visitors, enhance guests’ interactions with the animals and focus on animal welfare. Visitors will see more space for animals, an enhanced zoo-geographic organization, exceptional animal care, and an increased focus on the Zoo’s core value of conservation.

ECHO Digital Library

ECHO Digital is an open conversation hosted monthly by GLMVZoos. Dynamic, innovative thinkers from inside and outside the zoological community collide to explore provocative ideas and further the work and mission of Zoos & Aquariums. From the golf industry’s response to the 2009 economic downturn to a neuroscientist’s explanation of how memories are made, tips for saving money or your next construction project and virtual tours of new exhibits around the country, ECHO Digital brings a variety of topics and ideas each month.

ECHO Digital Library

ECHO Digital Library

ECHO Digital is an open conversation hosted monthly by GLMVZoos. Dynamic, innovative thinkers from inside and outside the zoological community collide to explore provocative ideas and further the work and mission of Zoos & Aquariums. From the golf industry’s response to the 2009 economic downturn to a neuroscientist’s explanation of how memories are made, tips for saving money or your next construction project and virtual tours of new exhibits around the country, ECHO Digital brings a variety of topics and ideas each month.

ECHO 2023

ECHO23 will be hosted in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo in Birmingham, AL, May 16 – 18, 2023. Check back soon for more details.

ECHO 2023

ECHO 2023

ECHO23 will be hosted in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo in Birmingham, AL, May 16 – 18, 2023. Check back soon for more details.

Our Proud Partners

GLMV Zoo’s team has designed 74 projects at 35 AZA-accredited institutions and animal-related facilities. For 20 years, we have used the spirit of curiosity and courage to change the paradigm of zoos!

Our Proud Partners

Our Proud Partners

GLMV Zoo’s team has designed 74 projects at 35 AZA-accredited institutions and animal-related facilities. For 20 years, we have used the spirit of curiosity and courage to change the paradigm of zoos!

Our Specialized Services

Our goal is to collaboratively create spaces that foster fascination, infuse experiences with surprise and beauty, and transport the way people interact with their world.

Zoo Services

Our Specialized Services

Our goal is to collaboratively create spaces that foster fascination, infuse experiences with surprise and beauty, and transport the way people interact with their world.

Committed to Excellence

GLMV Zoos is a Corporate Member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Commercial Member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and a LEED Proven Provider

Professional Affiliations & Awards

Committed to Excellence

GLMV Zoos is a Corporate Member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Commercial Member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and a LEED Proven Provider

Wichita 316.265.9367
Kansas City 816.444.4200
Houston 281.870.1914
architects@glmv.com

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