TM Consultants were engaged to provide Structural, Mechanical, Hydraulic, Electrical, Energy, Civil, H1 and Fire engineering for the new Gorilla Enclosure at Orana Park.

“We are delighted to announce that Orana is the proud recipient of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia’s (ZAA) Large Institution, Large Scale Exhibit Award for the Great Ape Centre. The exhibit was assessed on animal welfare, work practices, visitor experience, outcomes (conservation, research and education), innovative features, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. We are incredibly proud and grateful to have provided the full suite of professional consultant services on this project and wish Orana Wildlife Park every success with this investment over the coming decades.”

The Great Ape Centre is the biggest and most ambitious project ever undertaken in the park’s history. With a $6M cost and opened by the Christchurch Mayor, the Great Ape Centre is the first and only gorilla exhibit in New Zealand.

Specific and detailed engineering combined with the architectural design resulted in an aesthetically pleasing building with great visitor viewing platforms and private areas for the orang-utans (soon to be introduced) and three Western Lowland Gorillas. Underfloor heating and ducted HVAC systems ensure creature comforts and rainwater harvesting increase the sustainability of the centre.

Completed in July 2015 and open to the public in August 2015.

Tim Gwatkin led this project.