Fantasy Master Plan Maryland Zoo: Maryland Wilderness - Small Mammal Lodge

The third of the three major additions is also the second completely new structure.  Designed to fit into the hillside just past the Maryland Cave, and landscaped at its entrance to be an extension of the Maryland Cave's naturalistic rock face, this is a new take on an old idea: the Small Mammal House.  In this design, I would call it the Small Mammal Lodge to set up the distinction of both purpose and presentation.

The purpose is to highlight a range of animals that are integral to our diverse ecosystems, but generally go unnoticed.  Guests would receive a wide-ranging education about the amazing number of small mammals that call Maryland home.  They could see and compare the differences between several examples or mice, rats, voles and lemmings, for example.  They would also learn about the sorts of ecological pressures and threats that these animals face as our world and climate swiftly change.

The design will reflect strongly on the Maryland Herpetarium to create a sense of unity within the larger Maryland Wilderness area of the zoo.  Another wide spiraling farm (this time a staircase) will lead guests to a second floor, and an elevator is provided for guests to use for whom stairs are not possible.  A series of glass enclosed silos with cantilevered windows create the sense of openness to the world beyond the building's form.  Windows opened to permit the free flow of air when temperatures permit adds to the blurred lines.  The new Beaver habitat sits adjacent to the Small Mammal Lodge and a guests may choose between a solid stone bridge and the current suspension bridge when crossing the little ravine to continue exploring through the Maryland Wilderness area.

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