Contract Value: $30,000,000

Award Date: September 2006

Completion Date: April 2011

Owner: Smithsonian Institute

Architect: Vitetta

Project Type: Design/Build - Historic Renovation

Contract Type: Fixed Price

Description:
The project encompasses a complete renovation and expansion of the Elephant Facility and habitat at the National Zoo. The existing enclosure will be renovated to enhance the visitor experience and provide improved natural lighting, ventilation, soft flooring and indoor activity center for the elephants. A barn extension will be constructed on the east of the existing structure with state of the art facilities for the elephants and curators.

The existing elephant habitat will be expanded to at least twice its current size and incorporate diverse outdoor habitats, each with distinctive elements that stimulate natural elephant behavior, such as mud wallows, pools and sand piles. The plan includes a walking trail for elephants that runs through the outdoor habitats and provides the elephants with exercise and natural foraging opportunities as well as outdoor shaded and heated spots, which allow the elephants access to the outdoors throughout the year.

The design build project is already underway with an expected completion date of April 2011.

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