Gondola Views and Up-Close Encounters with Native California Species

The California Trail project at the Oakland Zoo doubles the size of the zoo complex to roughly 100 acres and furthers the zoo’s mission of conservation, education and research with a focus on native Californian animals. More than 20 years in the making, the $72 million project was a culmination of community collaboration and the dogged perseverance of the Conservation Society of California. The project encompasses 26 structures spread across 50 acres of land, trails, as well as an aerial gondola system.

The design is centered around conservation and experience. The siting of the project was a key element of both. Located in Knowland Park, the design is strategically located to preserve the natural environment and the existing oak trees: it is placed where it would have the lightest impact on the land. To further lessen that impact, instead of developing roads and parking lots to transport visitors to the California Trail, visitors, fly over the landscape in a gondola.

The gondola ride begins the immersive experience of the California Trail, that also affords views of the San Francisco Bay area. Disembarking, visitors journey through a series of habitats—both experiential and educational. An 800-foot-long elevated boardwalk leads visitors through a series of exhibitions. The loop trail, which lightly touches the land, ends back at the 20,150-square-foot Visitor and Interpretive Center complex, which includes the gondola station and platform, offices, restaurant, and restrooms. The Interpretative Center provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the history of the animals and the state of California. The design builds upon the institution’s mission, which aims to take visitors on a journey that awakens a call to action—a feeling of responsibility and desire for personal commitment to protect the natural environment.

The experience of the animals was as important as the experience of the visitors. The design team worked with the Zoo to understand the best practices of developing a stimulating, yet safe, environment for the animals. Eight native endangered and threatened California species (gray wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, bison, jaguar, California condor, and bald eagle) live amid rolling hills and oaks. The California Trail includes The Landing Café, an overnight campground, a treetop boardwalk, Bay vistas spanning seven counties, and a playground laid out to reflect the ecological zones of California. Inside the California Conservation Habitarium, children use hands-on learning to explore settings replicating mountains, deserts, redwoods, estuaries, and even an urban home. A large plaza connects the two buildings. Nearby, is the overnight campground, a place outfitted with tent platforms and comfort facilities where children can learn about conservation and animals while spending the night outside. The campground also features learning kiosks that provide resting spots with strategically oriented views toward animal exhibits and views of the San Francisco Bay region. The buildings themselves are simple, durable structures, designed to take second seat to the natural surroundings and the visitor experience. Sustainable design features are incorporated throughout, notably through collection and use of solar power and rainwater harvesting.

Noll & Tam’s work with the Oakland Zoo and its staff spans more than 20 years of successful collaborations, and includes an administration building (1995), a front entry complex (2001), the Children’s Zoo (2005), and a veterinary hospital (2012).

Noll & Tam Architects design team

Janet Tam, Principal in Charge

Alyson Yarus, Project Manager

Michael Owens, Designer

Jason Barish, Designer

Ned Reifenstein, Designer

Photographer

Eric Dugan Photography