Toronto Zoo
Wildlife Health Centre
The Toronto Zoo’s Wildlife Health Centre provides customized care for more than 5,000 animals, representing almost 500 species. HH Angus’ scope of work included the design of the new state-of-the-art animal hospital, laboratory services and research centre.
Special mechanical and electrical design considerations were required for design of the holding pens and keeper areas for a wide array of species, such as hoofed animals, strong mammals, amphibians, reptiles, avian, aquatic, etc. These considerations include lighting suitable for each species, specialized air distribution, and environmental controls.
The project included operating rooms and other animal treatment rooms built to meet or exceed current animal environmental standards for groups such as the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Just as important were the spaces designed for the support laboratories, and the research laboratories specifically for animal conservation. The remainder of the building houses support spaces for nutritionists, veterinarians and researchers.
SERVICES
Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Lighting Design
PROJECT FEATURES
Size: 34,000 ft2 | Status: Completed 2014
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
KEY SCOPE ELEMENTS
Animal treatment rooms met or exceeded current animal environmental standards for CCAC, OMAFRA and AZA | Support laboratories | Research laboratories for animal conservation | Energy-efficient equipment for chiller and boilers
Complex phasing of services
During construction, the program required complex phasing of the mechanical and electrical systems, during which measures such as temporary air handling, re-routing of main communications cabling and heating lines were required. Existing systems were expanded to accommodate the complex demands of a modern animal hospital and research centre.
Specifying energy efficient equipment
Where new equipment was required, energy-efficient selections were specified, including magnetic bearing chillers, variable speed motors, and high efficiency condensing heating boilers.
