Check Out Seattle’s Zoo for the Newest Use of Mass Plywood

A new 12,000-square-foot pavilion in the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington State is nearing completion.

A new trailhead in the more-than-100-year-old zoo leading to the mass plywood pavilion is being finished up, the latest use of this new construction method using engineered wood.

“Designed to be one of the most innovative mass plywood pavilions, the project enriches the public experience by combining powerful human-animal connections, conservation stories and dynamic spaces, which foster empathy and deepen our understanding of our interdependency with the forest habitats and animals at the zoo,” said Osama Quotah, a partner in LMN, the architectural firm which designed the project.

LMN said the new pavilion was “inspired by organic fractals found in nature,” and is made of recycled composite cladding and regionally sourced mass plywood. With what it describes as a “Brutalist ceiling” design, the pavilion has plenty of natural light and a cantilevered roof. The pavilion’s design is meant to echo Woodland Park Zoo’s commitment to conservation and ecology, LMN said, offering views of many of the zoo’s inhabitants, including parrots, reptiles, amphibians, fish and other species.

“From the innovative design solutions to the careful attention to detail on site, every phase of construction brings us closer to realizing the project’s vision,” LMN said, adding that the pavilion construction is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Image: LMN Architects

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