Client: NWCP
Construction budget: £70 million (part)

Kay Elliott are responsible for the design of three major exhibits within the £70 million National Wildlife Conservation Park (NWCP) in Bristol. The 55-hectare world wildlife park will be the first conservation-led animal visitor attraction of its kind in the UK, with an exciting mix of exhibits based on endangered ecosystems from around the world.

The first exhibit is a mixed biotope replicating a mangrove swamp in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The building, a transparent ETFE dome, takes visitors on a journey from mangrove canals to a banana plantation, beneath the water level to a mangrove swamp. Visitors will view manatees, fish, free-flight birds, invertebrates, American crocodiles, snakes and frogs whilst integrated interpretation visually demonstrates the impact of tourist development on the fragile ecosystem.

Kay Elliott’s second exhibit, “Indian Oceans” comprises a large bat and mongoose lemur walkthrough; a Ranger Station containing small close encounter animal exhibits; and an aquatic display with one tank displaying a brightly-coloured live coral reef and the other exhibiting stunning and vibrant large fish species.

The third project is a 1000-seat amphitheatre set within an ancient woodland.

A number of technical innovations were designed into this proposal to meet the client’s stringent environmental performance for requirements on energy and water consumption in particular. The project aims to be self sufficient in terms of water supply and very high standards of waste management.

NWCP aims to be self sufficient in water supply and all catering, animal, garden and paper/cardboard waste will be treated in an in-vessel composter. Supplies will be locally-sourced where possible, with 80 per cent from within 50 miles. This includes items such as building materials, fuel and supplies and food stuffs, which will be organic, ethically sourced and free range wherever possible.