NBRS ARCHITECTURE designed a space for innovative learning within a zoo at Taronga Institute of Science and Learning in Sydney, Australia.

Taronga Conservation Society believes in a shared future, where wildlife and people don’t just live together, they thrive together. The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Institute supports this vision by enabling Taronga to expand capabilities in conservation science, research and learning. Located within Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, the building holds a six-star environmental rating.

The NBRS ARCHITECTURE approach was based around bringing together three major hubs: Learning, Science, and the Collaboration / Visitor Hub. Over three levels, the design centres around an atrium space that links the building’s functions and allows scientists, animals carers, educationalists and the public to interact.

The Science Hub is a facility not only for research scientists but university students, fostering the next generation of conservation innovation. Specialist laboratories and digital teaching labs provide opportunities to broaden partnerships with leading universities. The Learning Hub allows students from early learning, high school, through to researchers and tertiary students to interact with the zoo. Multi modal learning environments provide areas for individual study, group discussion and presentation modes.

Three immersive learning spaces themed around desert, rainforest and woodland environments allow children to enter the habitat of animals and experience their natural behaviours. These environments provide authentic STEM learning and align with curriculum priority areas. The Visitor Hub allows a connection between visitors and the Institute. It has been designed for one-of-a-kind experiences to create a closer bond between students, scientists, animals and 300 staff.

In 2019 the Institute was recognised by Learning Environments Australasia as an innovative learning space. The Taronga Institute of Science and Learning won an Educational Award at the 2019 AIA NSW Awards.

Architect: NBRS ARCHITECTURE
Photography: Alexander Mayes