Established more than a century ago, the iconic Taronga Zoo located on the northern shores of Sydney Harbour is Australia’s largest zoo. Operated by the Taronga Conservation Society, the zoo recently opened a luxurious ecological resort designed by COX Architecture within the grounds.
The newly completed Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is situated on Bradleys Head Road in Sydney and consists of five environmentally sensitive, sustainably designed lodges that are designed to integrate into the native bushland setting of the zoo. COX’s design reinforces the connection to the natural environment by blurring the boundaries between the resort, the landscape and the zoo residents.
Sustainable timber alternative cladding systems from Innowood were specified for the wildlife retreat’s walls and soffit areas as part of a carefully selected materials palette that would not only meet the project’s environment-friendly and sustainable goals but also seamlessly integrate into the natural setting by providing the closest look and feel to natural timber.
Photographer: Mike Chorley
