Wildlife Connections Hub

Client: Chester Zoo

Scope: Design Development, Interactive Exhibits and Scenic Setworks

Chester Zoo developed an exterior informal education space called the Wildlife Connections Hub. The design brief was to create two exterior installations which would allow for unsupervised use by visitors and communicate messages about supporting UK wildlife from your home and garden. The Hub is the focal point at the entrance of the zoo and will be the first thing the 2 million visitor a year see upon arrival.

We worked with the team at Chester Zoo to develop two exhibits:

A ‘Toad Abode’ – Demonstrating to visitors how to build a home for amphibians to rest in. Ours is a human sized, flower pot, on its side, with illustrated insects inside. Visitors are encourage to climb inside for a photo opportunity.

Hedgehog Tilt Maze – Hedgehogs roam up to 2km per night and rely on hedgerows and edges of woodland for safety but these areas are quickly becoming inaccessible due to new buildings and roads. We have developed an interactive to demonstrate their struggle. The maze has been graphically designed to represent the hazards and opportunities for access for a little rolled up hedgehog, who rolls around the maze trying to get from one habitat safely to another as visitors tilt the board to move the hedgehog ball.

“Unusual Projects were a pleasure to deal with, right from the tender process all the way up to installation and beyond. They had amazing enthusiasm for the project, backed up with creativity, plenty of skill and patience too. Nothing was too much trouble, and we now have some fantastic exhibits in the zoo that our visitors will love for years to come. We’ll certainly be working with them again in the future!”

Fred Howat – Exhibitions and Interpretation Manager, Chester Zoo