Taronga Zoo is in a beautiful location in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so it goes without saying that the Wildlife Retreat has been sensitively designed to fit with the local site. The highest point of the accommodation lodges are no higher than the existing facility with each lodge nestled into the existing landscape and tree line.
The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga has been designed to significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint by taking on green initiatives such as:
- Rooftop mounted solar photovoltaic systems that provide a local and clean source of electricity to power the Wildlife Retreat
- Cross-laminated timber used as the construction material of choice, which is a pre-fabricated solid engineered wood with a lower environmental footprint than concrete and steel. This provides increased thermal performance that reduces the need to artificially heat and cool the building to ultimately save on electricity
- Recycled water for toilet flushing and irrigation from Taronga’s on-site water treatment plant
- WELS water efficient fittings throughout the precinct to greatly reduce potable water consumption
- LED light fittings and energy efficient appliances, including ceiling fans and louvres to provide cross-ventilation that significantly reduces electricity requires while providing a comfortable guest environment
These actions were put in place in the hope that guests can enjoy a rewarding experience with a long-lasting and positive impact.
