As a distinguished landmark within the Bronx Zoo’s new Science Campus, the site design for the WCS center reinforces a hierarchical path system to clarify the site’s use and function. The building’s siting carefully considers its relationship to existing exhibits, the historic Astor Court entrance, the Zoo’s master plan for expansion, utility upgrades and its goal to become a self sustaining and energy independent facility.

Working with existing circulation and operational patterns, the site’s structure has been informed by establishing effective and appropriately scaled connections with the Zoo’s existing circulation network. The path system extends from a series of gateways that are defined by echoing and blending architectural elements of the building into the landscape. These thresholds function to anchor topographic transitions, heighten the sense of entrance to the building complex, conceal views out to the Zoo and visually extend a comprehensive landscape design language that gives the precinct its unique sense of place.