September 28, 2005

Design Detailings: Portico honored for jaguar zoo exhibit

Photo by Mike Teller The Jaguar Cove at Woodland Park Zoo features a waterfall and underwater viewing of the jaguars.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association recently honored Woodland Park Zoo with a Significant Achievement Award in the exhibit category for Jaguar Cove.

The Portico Group of Seattle designed the exhibit, as well as the zoo's award-winning tropical rain forest exhibit. The general contractor was Synergy Construction of Woodinville.

A 28-foot-high kapok stump is the entry to Jaguar Cove, the first zoo exhibit in the world with underwater viewing of a jaguar. More than 1,900 plants inside and outside the enclosure mimic the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, which is the natural habitat of jaguars.

The zoo's Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke said, "Woodland Park Zoo worked hard to design and build an exhibit that is interesting and educational, highlights conservation projects in both the zoo and in the wild, and provides a naturalistic and stimulating environment for a jaguar to live in."

Woodland Park Zoo has two jaguars: a 5-year-old male, recently imported from Bolivia, and a 10-year-old male.

Callison, Cole Haan create new prototype

Callison Architecture and Cole Haan have collaborated to create a Cole Haan women's prototype store, showcasing footwear, handbags, accessories and outerwear.

The 1,800-square-foot store opened in February at South Park Mall in Charlotte, N.C. Callison developed exterior, interior, fixture and furniture design.

The exterior includes Hollywood Regency-style vertical windows with ebony frames, contrasting a limestone facade. Large entry doors have an interlocking symmetrical circle motif. A custom tripod display table anchors the front of the store, and is lit overhead by a white chandelier. Multi-level mannequin platforms provide a focal point within the store to display merchandise.

In the front and back of the store are accessory displays in ivory lacquer, with gold leaf detailing and grasscloth backdrops. The custom furniture is residential-style, including slipper chairs, a daybed and side chairs.

"The store's Hollywood glamour style is refined and elegant, and envelops the customer in a very feminine and modern atmosphere," said Cindi Kato, Callison director.

Swope talk Tuesday on ‘Classic Houses'

Caroline Swope, author of the new book "Classic Houses of Seattle," will present a slide show at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ballard Library, 5614 N.W. 22nd St. Swope will discuss dozens of homes from around the city that exemplify the area's architectural styles.

She teaches art and architectural history at Seattle Central Community College, and holds a doctorate in American art and architectural history from the University of Washington and a master's in historic preservation. The book is published by Timber Press. The presentation is free.

She will also speak at 5 p.m. Oct. 11, at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.

Oct. 20 deadline for landscape awards

The Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects is accepting submissions for the 2006 WASLA Design Awards Program. The biennial awards program showcases landscape architecture from throughout the state.

Submissions are accepted in five categories: design; residential garden design; landscape planning and analysis; research and communications; and works in progress. All landscape architects in Washington are eligible to submit. Projects may be outside the state.

Deadline for submissions is Oct. 20. The entry fee is $175. For information, call the WASLA office at (206) 443-9484.