Tag Archives: theming

Fallen tree elephant barrier

Here are some images from a just completed Houthoff Zoo Design project. Designed to prevent animals from mingling with the visitors in Rotterdam Zoo’s Asia exhibit, this construction can withstand the force of a charging elephant. It also looks nice and we like things which look nice.

First we made a steel barrier and fixed it into the concrete walls and floor. Then, taking inspiration from the existing twenty year old jungle theming, we transformed the not so pretty structure into a fallen, decomposing tree. A ‘jungley’ paint job and a scattering of lichens completed the effect.

We are not sure if the elephants will appreciate the feng shui we performed for them but we sure think it looks better than a boring metal barrier.

artificial tree

artificial tree

artificial tree

Angkor Wat head

Main Contractor : Houthoff Zoo Design

angkor wat head

Artificial Angkor Wat head.

I loved making this head recently in the giant petshop I talked about in a previous post. It is made from EPS  carved with a chainsaw and then shot with a render (shotcrete) the render was then carved to the final finish. The colours are an acid stain and acrylic wash with hand painted lichens expertly done by Susy V. The height, which you cannot tell too well by the photo is about 2.8m.