WATERSCAPES AVIARY, SLIMBRIDGE WWT
In 2016 Slimbridge WWT received £4.5m National Lottery Heritage Funding towards a £6m project to add new inspirational and immersive wildlife experiences to the centre. ARC was instructed to deliver the Living Wetland Theatre & Waterscapes Aviary – the largest exhibit, dedicated to engaging visitors in wetland conservation.
brief
For phase one of the project, ARC designed, engineered, and installed a 2000 square metre walk-through Waterscapes Aviary, allowing visitors to get a birds-eye view of the wetlands and the birds that call it their home.
Outcome
The aviary structure was created using galvanised steel columns and galvanised steel rope, with polyethylene mesh. The entire structure was then flanked by specially designed stainless steel rodent barriers with integrated hotwire to ensure the safety of the birds.
Also involved in the scope of works was a series of animal holding pens to the rear of the aviary structure. The structure was comprised of 2 10 x 10m pens and 1 hallway structure as well as 4 smaller 10 x 5m pens, all of which were built using key clamp system and covered with polyethylene mesh with 19x 19 galvanised anti dig barrier.
The completed Living Wetlands Theatre and Waterscapes Aviary allows visitors to the centre to marvel at and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the Living Wetland. All involved with the project were delighted with the new exhibits.
“It was a real pleasure working with Arc Structures. The team were highly professional, proactive, and creative. The client was delighted with the completed Aviary and canopy, as we were, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with Arc Structures again in the future”.