MBA “Award for Excellence in Construction for Best Use of Timber Open Category” for Taronga Food Markets, Taronga Zoo 2005

Brisland completed the double award winning $6 million “Taronga Food Market” at Taronga Zoo in March 2005. This facility, located in the centre of the Zoo incorporated indoor and outdoor dining areas with seating for over 600 people, a large commercial kitchen, themed servery counters, rest facilities, café / bar section and an external milkbar / ice-creamery. 

The building has a distinctive and very appealing look with a Thai theme. Extensive use was made of timber, including decorative ply cladding, Australian hardwood structural framing and glazed timber windows and doors. In addition, the building incorporates internal polished concrete floors and external exposed aggregate courtyards. The building is topped off with a shingle clad roof imported from America. Extensive landscaping was also incorporated into the overall village effect.

Construction required a high level of co-ordination and planning in order to minimise disruptions to the Zoo operations and to ensure Zoo visitor safety. In addition the allocated site area was restricted due to adjacent construction of the Asian Elephant enclosure. At times the area was further reduced due to Zoo operational requirements during school holiday periods.  The project won 2 MBA Excellence in Construction Awards in 2005, for “Hospitality Building between $5 - $10 million” and another for “Best Use of Timber Open Category”.

Jump to Project