Steel: A History of Strength. A Future of Possibilities.

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction

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Toronto Zoo

animal habitats using the strength of steel

Click on the image to enlarge it.

  

Other pictures

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photos: Terri Meyer Boake
 

Some Key Numbers

Completion: 1974

Contributors

Architects: Clifford Lawrie Bolton Ritchie Architects, Crang and Boake Architects, Ron Thom Architect
Structural Engineers: Yolles
The original buildings for the Metro Zoo were completed in 1974 as the result of a joint venture amongst several architectural firms. The zoo is different from many zoos in that the collections of animals and plants are located on a geographic basis, versus a species basis. The largest of the pavilions represent Africa (pictured above) and Malaysia. Smaller pavilions house the collections from the Americas and Australasia. A smaller pavilion devoted to the Malaysian Woods houses a changing collection of butterflies.

 

The structural system for the main pavilions (pictured herein) are based upon a primary structural steel frame, infilled with a lightweight tube structure (similar in concept and construction to a spaceframe). The roof alternates panels of glazing and standing seam metal roofing. The spaceframe like layer accommodates a roof that uses complex curved surfaces in its design.