PARKS & RECREATION
CULTURAL
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
RainForest Dome Replacement
Cleveland Metroparks
Edgewater Beach House
A strategic transformation that preserves iconic habitat experience through advanced materials and careful coordination.
—Always By Design
Inspired by the ideas of emergence and intertwining, Edgewater Beach House is uniquely anchored by program, site, and urban context. The new community structure celebrates how significant civic architecture can be achieved on a modest budget and actively uplift and serve the public.
—Always By Design
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo engaged Bialosky as part of a design-build team to replace the aging dome over the iconic RainForest's orangutan exhibit, a critical component of the two-acre, two-level habitat supporting 10,000 plants and over 600 animals from the jungles of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The existing 25-year-old dome had become a liability, leaking both air and water while staining from sealant repairs compromised its translucent panels.
The project replaced the 72-foot diameter structure with a new multi-layer, transparent ETFE foil cushion dome featuring aluminum frames and steel superstructure that provides superior durability and performance. The new dome sits approximately one foot higher to allow proper flashing to the parapet, with precise sealing and base detailing preventing future leaks. UV transparency was prioritized to ensure appropriate light levels for wildlife to thrive, while wire mesh netting incorporated on the second level provides flexibility to host different fauna and flora in the future. Demolition was highly coordinated in strategic phases to maintain habitat conditions, including temporary weather protection and waterproofing during construction to minimize impact on the Zoo's residents.
The technically challenging project was completed on an accelerated schedule, ensuring this beloved Cleveland landmark continues to welcome students, families, and visitors while providing a healthy, sustainable environment for its diverse collection of plants and animals.
CLIENT
Cleveland Metroparks
LOCATION
Cleveland, OH
SIZE
72' Diameter Dome
SERVICES
Architecture
