The Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar Nation
Western Australia
Perth Zoo's latest attraction is now open to the public with a state-of-the-art gibbon habitat swinging into action.
This is the next phase of the Perth Zoo Masterplan 2024-2040
New gibbon habitat triples space for critically endangered White-Cheeked Gibbons
Visitors can now watch gibbons swing overhead as they enter the zoo
Perth Zoo's latest attraction is now open to the public with a state-of-the-art gibbon habitat swinging into action.
The modern design utilises vertical space, tripling the habitat area for the white-cheeked gibbons.
Rope pathways stretch above visitor walkways, allowing the gibbons to brachiate long distances just as they would in the wild – offering visitors an immersive and unforgettable experience.
Alongside the new habitat, upgrades have also been made to the Parkland Heart Precinct, including new seating, barbeque, event spaces, and an accessible Changing Places facility, helping make the zoo more inclusive and family friendly.
Commendation for Small Project Architecture
The Gibbon Crossing and Parkland Heart offer a series of thoughtful interventions that weave an interdisciplinary narrative, bringing heritage architecture, industrial design innovation, and respect for the natural environment together seamlessly. Building on the success of the Orangutan project, IPH and Hassell collaborated to integrate sophisticated yet non-invasive technological trees with the existing artificial lake and historic pavilion. The result creates generous, barrier-free environments where gibbons inhabit and perform alongside visitors, uniting exotic wildlife, landscape, and built heritage into a continuous and engaging experience.
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture – Commendation
Perth Zoo’s Gibbon Crossing achieves a high level of functional performance and technical resolution.
The Gibbon enclosure and tower mechanisms are custom-designed steel systems, which are highly controlled and adaptable features of the project. These intricate systems sit within a carefully designed island habitat, and are surrounded by accessible landscaping, including picnic arbours, forming the new ‘Parkland Heart’.
The outcome enables a new model of interaction with visitors and provides the gibbons with an environment akin to their natural habitat, enhancing the zoo’s values of sustainability, biodiversity and conservation.
Commendation for Small Project Architecture
The Gibbon Crossing and Parkland Heart offer a series of thoughtful interventions that weave an interdisciplinary narrative, bringing heritage architecture, industrial design innovation, and respect for the natural environment together seamlessly. Building on the success of the Orangutan project, IPH and Hassell collaborated to integrate sophisticated yet non-invasive technological trees with the existing artificial lake and historic pavilion. The result creates generous, barrier-free environments where gibbons inhabit and perform alongside visitors, uniting exotic wildlife, landscape, and built heritage into a continuous and engaging experience.
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture - Commendation
Perth Zoo’s Gibbon Crossing achieves a high level of functional performance and technical resolution.
The Gibbon enclosure and tower mechanisms are custom-designed steel systems, which are highly controlled and adaptable features of the project. These intricate systems sit within a carefully designed island habitat, and are surrounded by accessible landscaping, including picnic arbours, forming the new ‘Parkland Heart’.
The outcome enables a new model of interaction with visitors and provides the gibbons with an environment akin to their natural habitat, enhancing the zoo’s values of sustainability, biodiversity and conservation.
Comments attributed to the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Record numbers of visitors are already enjoying the new café precinct and family facilities, and now, the Primate Crossing adds a world-class experience.
"Not only does investing into our zoo provide modernised visitor amenities, but it also improves animal welfare and provides new meaningful ways for the community to connect with nature.
"Watching the gibbons swing through the skies is truly remarkable to see and it's these magic moments that form core memories and help inspire the next generation into conservationists."
Finn Pedersen, IPH Project Director
Anthony Brookfield, Hassell Landscape Director
Patrick Bendall, IPH Project Lead Design
Aysen Jenkins, Hassell Landscape Design
Jill Turpin, Hassell Landscape CA
James French, Hassell Heritage CA
Brad Cook, Hassell Heritage Design
Tania Perrella, IPH Project Arch
Crothers Construction, Project Manager
Urbis, Heritage Consultant
ETC, Electrical Consultant
Full Cricle, ESD Consultant
Structerre, Structural Engineer
HDA WA, Hydraulic Consultant
O’Brien Harrop, Accessibility Consultant/ Changing Places
Philip Chun, Building Surveyor
RLB, Cost Consultant
Successful Projects, Time Planner