Albuquerque BioPark

Project Goal

With creative direction and ongoing consultation with CLR Design, Bonsai designed and installed an incredible aerial play space for Orangutans and Siamangs at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo. The goal of the project was to create an environment that reflects the primates natural habitat by using materials that move and behave like the trees and vines they would encounter. In addition to the animal exhibit, Bonsai delivered a more traditional playground for youngsters visiting the zoo. The playground reflects the animal exhibit through parallel play, allowing children to engage with ropes, logs, and swings in a similar fashion to the primates in their adjacent exhibit.

Program Description

Along with 21 substantial at-height nets, the exhibit consists of a variety of creative ‘elements’ including 12 flexible fiberglass sway poles, 3 large spring-loaded articulating ‘wobble’ trees, and 74 other various climbers and posts. The space includes two primary play areas connected by a network of 122 hanging elements dubbed the Siamang Highway.   Several images used in the gallery are courtesy of Bradbury Stamm Construction.