Ask us a Question
The Architecture of Africa
An Interview with Patrick Janikowski, AIA, of PJA Architects, Designers of The African Forest
Before a shovel struck the ground or animals occupied these spaces, a team of architects and designers took the idea of The African Forest and started creating the reality. This included trips to Africa, many hours spent researching, interviewing important constituents and writing the stories of The African Forest. Patrick Janikowski, spent some time talking about this vision and the final results.
.jpg)
One of the words that is used to describe African Forest is “immersive.” From an architect’s point of view, what does that mean?
A totality, not something that is applied. Viewing structures, the restaurant, the gift shop -- all are designed down to the last detail. For example, we really researched the right fixtures for the gift shop. It isn’t like we just built the building and went out to a craft shop and bought some African masks and said, “You’re in Africa.” We actually went to Gabon, studied the architecture and really tried to bring that back and recreate it.
My first reaction to that is that Africa is so big. How can you recreate it?
We just looked at a piece of it and tried to give Zoo guests a sense of the feeling we had when we were there. We want to give them a sense of being taken away on a journey. We mimicked plants that would be in Africa and matched the rockwork in the riverbanks, all to suspend disbelief. Hopefully when they are in The African Forest they will feel like they aren’t in Houston anymore.
The Houston Zoo told you what they wanted to accomplish with The African Forest, which is so different than anything else that has been done. How did you get started?
The first thing we do is write a story narrative and then express it in the immersion. The design needed to reflect that story. It is very much like set development for a movie.
Some of the most impressive pieces of The African Forest are the rock walls. Can you briefly explain the process in creating them and what purpose they serve?
There is a need to create barriers to keep the animals in. How do you do that naturally? Our landscape architect likes to develop a geological story and involve it with the design. For example, we imagined that at one time a river had cut these mud banks, and that is why the trees are at the top. It’s not necessarily a story we tell the public, but that‘s what we used as we worked on this.
.
The animal exhibits are amazing but there is so much more to The African Forest -- the Restaurant, Trading Post and Forest Walk. Can you explain how it all tied in?
It’s always about the animals first. You look at how they may move through or use an exhibit, then look at where the best locations for viewing those animals may be and where to give them a respite from visitors. Then you determine -- what do we need for barriers for the animals first and then how can we bring some of the elements of those barriers into the public spaces? When you walk through The African Forest, you feel like you are in the animal’s space, not that they’re in your space. The guests come and go, but the animals are here for the rest of their lives. They need to be comfortable and feel safe. The exhibit must function right for all those things.
What are you most excited for the guests to see? 
I want the guest to say, “I enjoyed it because I had a great experience, I learned something, I was in there with them. Now I want to do something.” If they become members, support conservation or leave wanting to do something, then we have done something important. We’re looking for that moment of connection between the guest and the animal. If you are nose to nose with a chimp and they are looking into your eyes you are going to want to do something.
What are you most proud of with The African Forest?
If you have happy keepers they enjoy going to work, they enjoy what they do, so they take better care of the animals. If the animals are happy, they look good and the guests are happy. That is a win/win situation. I think we have accomplished that. I want to walk through the exhibit and hear people ask, “Is it real? Look at the animals, look how natural it all is.” I hope this exhibit shows the community what can be done and what needs to be done for Phase Two and Three.
If you would like to support The African Forest and contribute to Phases Two and Three, click HERE to make a donation.
