London Zoo's iconic aviary to be transformed into monkey exhibit in £7.1m project

Birds to monkeys: The iconic structure opened in 1965.
Daniel Sprawson ZSL
Francesca Gillett12 November 2016

The architects who designed the British Museum and City Hall are to turn London Zoo’s Grade II listed aviary into a monkey enclosure.

The Snowdon Aviary – which is one of the zoo’s most famous structures – is to be transformed into a multimillion pound walk-through primate exhibit.

Lord Norman Foster's firm Foster and Partners are to take on the £7.1 million project of redesigning the aviary, which can be seen from the nearby Regent’s Canal and Primrose Hill.

The architects previously redrew the city's skyline with the Gherkin and are one of the firms behind the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.

The boss of ZSL, Professor David Field, said it is the zoo's “most ambitious project to date”.

Architect Lord Foster's firm is to take on the ambitious project. 
Rex

“ZSL London Zoo has a long history of leading the way in architecture and design and has many listed buildings that have stood the test of time,” he said.

“It’s fitting that a structure with such a unique history should be given new life by a world-class firm with such a strong heritage.

"Our most ambitious project to date, the new aviary will reflect our decades of animal expertise and delivering innovative visitor experiences.”

Norman Foster, chairman and founder of the architect firm, said: “We are honoured and delighted to be working on the redevelopment of the Snowdon Aviary – a rare example of a completed work by Cedric Price.

“The redevelopment of the Aviary is a unique opportunity to preserve this exceptional structure and the legacy of pioneering architecture at ZSL London Zoo.

New home: Lord Foster's firm will transform the aviary into an exhibit for monkeys.
ZSL

“It will be a great privilege to be able to contribute to the tradition of contemporary architectural additions at one of London’s most cherished institutions.”

ZSL secured a Heritage Lottery Fund grant for the initial research and planning phase of modernising the aviary.

The idea is to take visitors and school children even closer to the monkeys, which will be the colobus monkey breed.

ZSL’s Director of Fundraising, James Wren said: “The restoration of the Snowdon Aviary will put ZSL London Zoo at the heart of the community.

“As a charity, ZSL are reliant upon the generous support of our donors. We now have to raise the £2million in match-funding we will need to realise this exciting project and give the historic Snowdon Aviary a new purpose, enabling us to expand the Zoo’s education offering and provide many more activities for people of all ages to enjoy.”

The aviary, which opened in 1965, was “unique for its time” and designed by influential architect Cedric Price.

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