Cameron Park Zoo New Hoofstock Barn

Brief

Overview

The Cameron Park Zoo Hoofstock Barn was designed as a purpose-driven night facility for African hoofstock, supporting animal care operations behind the scenes while remaining visually unobtrusive within the zoo environment. Every design decision was guided by animal health, keeper safety, and long-term durability. Interior spaces were intentionally detailed to eliminate concealed cavities and hard-to-clean recesses, reducing areas where pests could harbor and creating a healthier, more maintainable environment. A dedicated medical stall was designed to adapt quickly to changing needs, allowing protective padding to be installed or removed efficiently to support veterinary care.

Operational safety was equally critical. Stall doors were engineered to be operated mechanically from the keeper corridor using a pulley and cable system, allowing staff to control animal movement without direct exposure. Clerestory glazing and protected window openings introduce generous natural daylight while shielding glass from impact by deer and antelope. From the public side, the structure was designed to recede into its surroundings—finished in deep green tones and stripped of unnecessary exterior detail so it quietly blends into the tree line beyond. The result is a 1,835-square-foot facility that performs with precision while remaining respectfully in the background of the zoo experience.