A swinging start for Dublin Zoo

Work on the first phase of Dublin Zoo’s 15m redevelopment has been completed, with Met Studio designing a new identity, graphics and interactives.

The zoo is creating six new themed areas, including The World of Primates which is the first to be completed. Enclosures for the area have been designed by in-house architects from the Office of Public Works and local architect Keane Murphy Duff.

Met Studio has developed a colour-coded information hierarchical system for each area. “Each species has a fast-track information title tower and a series of three information panels displayed on a lectern unit,” says a consultancy spokeswoman.

A series of low-tech, hard-wearing interactives has been devised by Met to aid communication. “The emphasis is on humour and durability,” says the spokeswoman. “For the World of Primates, the interactives include an orang-utan bench, depicting the animal with a tape measure showing its 2m-plus arm span for visitors to compare and contrast,” she adds.

Met also redesigned the zoo’s overall logo as part of the first phase.

The consultancy was initially commissioned by the Irish Government’s Office of Public Works – which is funding the redevelopment with the EC – to “improve the overall quality of the visitor experience and to underline the zoo’s role in conservation and education using simple and direct means of communication”, adds the spokeswoman.

Met won the job after a five-way credentials pitch.