Forrester Completes State-of-the-Art Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit
The $31 million project is part of the exciting new American Trail at the National Zoo
September 6, 2012 – Forrester Construction Company is pleased to announce that it just completed construction of the state-of-the-art Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit, part of the American Trail at The Smithsonian National Zoological Park located in Washington, DC. This project, which opened to the public on September 1st, included the demolition of the original Seal and Sea Lion facility as well as the construction of the new and engaging Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit.
Working closely with architectural firm Quinn Evans and Smithsonian officials, Forrester built a two-acre facility that provides better standards of care for the American Trail marine life and other animals, while also enhancing the experience for visitors.
Incorporating a complex marine life support system and maintenance structure adjacent to the two new exhibit pools and four holding tanks, Forrester replicated the North Pacific Coast using innovative concrete forming and placement techniques, simulated tide pools and wave machines. Forrester also installed above and below water acrylic glass windows and an amphitheater to enhance the visitor's sensory experience. Four California sea lions now live and play in a 300,000-gallon pool, while a gray seal, with three more arriving in late fall, frolics in a 125,000-gallon pool.
Forrester also built the Wolf and North American River Otter Exhibits on the American Trail, which included the preservation of historic elements, reshaping of the terrain, construction of a new wolf habitat and a newly expanded otter area. In addition, safety features, such as glass viewing panels, handrails and new fencing, were added. Also constructed was a new food service cafe serving locally-sourced, sustainable seafood.
“This has been a tremendous project in many ways, not only because of its positive impact on the well-being of the animals and marine life, but also in its ability to give spectators a close and personal look at how they live,” says Scott Forester, executive vice president of Forrester Construction Company. “Implementing leading-edge technologies to create a LEED certified Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit has been a rewarding experience for the Forrester team.”
Established in 1988, Forrester Construction Company is an award-winning Engineering News Record (ENR) Top 150 Contractor and Top 50 Green Contractor, offering clients preconstruction, general contracting, construction management and design-build services. As one of the top five locally-owned general contractors in Metro DC, Forrester has a proven track record of client satisfaction, construction excellence and efficient project delivery. With a broad portfolio supporting multiple market sectors such as commercial, healthcare and education, the firm has worked on prominent landmark projects including the Supreme Court, Ford’s Theater and the Library of Congress. Forrester has been recognized with more than 120 construction industry awards in its 25 years in business, a milestone it will be celebrating in 2013.
To view project images, visit http://www.forresterconstruction.com/portfolio/245. High-resolution images are available upon request. For additional information, contact Kristen Barletta, marketing director, Forrester Construction Company, at 301.255.1742 or kbarletta@forresterconstruction.com.
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