Mace, the international consultancy and construction company, has recently completed the restoration of the Grade II* listed Snowdon Aviary with adjoining new-build colobus monkey house, transforming the former Aviary into a soaring new walkthrough home for the Zoo’s troop of black and white colobus monkeys – and the centre piece of its new Monkey Valley attraction.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mace was appointed as project manager, cost consultant and Employer’s Agent for the Zoo in 2016.
ZSL London Zoo’s famous structure was originally conceived by the late 1st Earl of Snowdon in the 1960s and realised by architect Cedric Price with structural engineer Frank Newby.
Taking inspiration from the flight pattern of birds, it was Britain’s first walkthrough aviary and was pioneering in its use of aluminium and tension for support.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, the iconic structure far outlived its intended 30 year lifespan. The reimagined Monkey Valley walkthrough, which takes the same size and form as the original aviary, will pay tribute to the structure’s original creators while providing a stimulating, naturalistic habitat for the colobus monkeys. Visitors will be able to take a tree-top walk while colobus leap from branch to branch of their richly landscaped home. The newly constructed monkey house and monkey sky tunnels enable the colobus to easily move between their new indoor day gym and the 80ft high outdoor Monkey Valley walkthrough.
Lynne Tyas, Project Director at Mace, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the team working on this unique and complex project, who have brought together their expertise, working collaboratively with the client team to meet this significant project milestone. This key exhibit at ZSL London Zoo has been restored for the public to enjoy for decades to come.”
ZSL London Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer Kathryn England said: “We’re excited to welcome visitors to Monkey Valley this summer - after six years of careful planning and restoration, new life has been breathed into the former Snowdon Aviary, a remarkable piece of the nation’s architectural history.”
