Asia Trail II, Elephant Trails - National Zoological Park

Elephant Trails, an innovative new 40,000 square foot home for Asian elephants on approximately 8 acres in the heart of the National Zoo, is the cornerstone of the Smithsonian’s and National Zoo’s campaign to save Asian elephants and is a LEED 2.1 NC gold rehabilitation and expansion of the existing elephant facility. Our design, with PJA Architects our landscape and zoological architect, greatly increases both indoor and outdoor space for the elephants, creating new habitats and a trek on the adjacent hillsides, and provides major new interpretive areas for the zoo’s 3 million annual visitors. Aesthetically, our design of the new poured-in-place reinforced concrete barn addition is clean and modern complimenting the form, scale and materials of the historic building; environmentally, our design is 40% more energy efficient than standard design with many “green” features including 40 geothermal wells for heating and cooling, operable skylights for daylighting and ventilation, super insulation of the roof and walls, green roofs and locally sourced materials high in recycled content.

LEED Gold Certification