Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Animal Health Facility

Work

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Animal Health Facility

Caring for the Animals: Engineering a sustainable and efficient veterinarian facility

DCI Engineers provided structural design services for this 11,000-sf veterinarian facility, which combines new construction around two existing structures. In the design, it was necessary to balance the needs of the animal and their keepers with a strong emphasis on sustainable design.

Location:

Tacoma, Washington

Square Feet:

11,000

Stories:

Service:

Structural

Industries:

Healthcare, Recreation & Entertainment

Primary Material:

Concrete, Wood

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Animal Health Facility

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Animal Health Facility_sm s

Project Highlights

Contains quarantine and holding areas, an animal hospital, administrative spaces, and a new commissary and storage area.
Sustainability goals were achieved by maximizing natural lighting and ventilation, incorporating solar hot water heat, and using recycled material and finishes.
Utilizes an extensive green roof to reduce HVAC loads, energy costs, and surface water runoff. The green roof also provides additional habitat space for the zoo’s free-ranging birds.
Required retrofitting existing structures and utilizing a variety of earth-friendly building materials, including recycled glass and aggregate concrete, ozone safe insulation, and 100% post-consumer paving materials.