The Giant Panda Interpretive Centre was the state-of-the-art interpretive exhibit that welcomed Toronto Zoo’s two new family members, Giant Pandas Er Shun and Da Mao, for their 5-year stay.
Gold Award for “Most educational panda zoo enclosure”
2013 HOW International Design Award of Merit
(in the category of signage, wayfinding and environmental graphics)
The Goal
As Canada’s premier zoo, the Toronto Zoo’s mission is to be a dynamic and exciting action destination that inspires people to love, respect, and protect wildlife and wild spaces. R&P was asked to design an interpretive center that visitors would explore prior to viewing the giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao. Unique to other panda exhibits across North America, the Toronto Zoo’s Panda Interpretive Centre was to provide an educational focus and highlight the importance of this five-year conservation loan.
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
The Design
The giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, were expected to draw 10,000 visitors per day. To accommodate the crowds, the 8,000 square foot trail and interpretive center was designed to not only help accommodate the flow of visitors but make their wait a pleasant and learning experience.
The environment was carefully themed to reflect the cultural significance of giant pandas in Chinese art and culture. Well-known for their woodblock printed artworks, this traditional Chinese art form was an inspiration for the bold modern aesthetic used for the signage. A series of woodblock stamped icons in the style of oriental horoscope animals were used throughout to help visitors connect related themes while traditional oriental scalloped patterns helped unify exhibit components with playfully hidden giant panda illustrations. This, coupled with life-sized animal images, large environmental graphics, and bamboo patterns within the space not only provided context and realism to the fascinating story of the giant panda but reflected the playful nature, and beauty of this rare and culturally significant animal.
Designed for adults and children alike, exhibit themes were explored through a variety of graphics and model displays, interactive features, multimedia games, and media presentations.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
The Result
Over the course of five years, visitors were entertained with world-class interpretive elements while visiting the beloved pandas. The Zoo used the visitor experience at the Interpretive Centre to inspire visitors to join in the conservation efforts currently underway to help protect this and other endangered species. The Centre was closely integrated with the Zoo’s conservation and research programs to build public awareness and profile of the Zoo’s higher purpose. Well over one million visitors experienced the Panda Interpretive Centre during the pandas’ five year stay.
Case Study/Behind the Scenes
The popular exhibit involved working collaboratively with the Zoo’s many departments as well as with the integrated design team of exhibit, graphic, and media designers. Biweekly project charrettes throughout the design phase with members of zoo staff, R&P, Blue Sky Design (interpretive planners), and the Design Foundation (media designers) provided an opportunity to test ideas and provide feedback at all stages of the project development. R&P’s collaboration with the entire project team resulted in design experiences that championed the Zoo’s mission with an entertaining and interactive focus.
One of the most significant and iconic symbols of wildlife conservation is the giant panda. At 8,000 square feet, the Panda Interpretive Centre at the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest panda educational facilities in the world...Robin Hale, Toronto Zoo Chief Operating Officer
The Giant Panda Interpretive Centre was the state-of-the-art interpretive exhibit that welcomed Toronto Zoo’s two new family members, Giant Pandas Er Shun and Da Mao, for their 5-year stay.
Impact
Annual Visitor Increase
13%
Zoo's Opening Weekend
56,000 people
Last time Pandas were in Toronto
1985
4 Awards Total
2015 The Giant Panda Global Awards:
Gold Award for “Most educational panda zoo enclosure”
2013 HOW International Design Award of Merit
(in the category of signage, wayfinding and environmental graphics)
The Goal
As Canada’s premier zoo, the Toronto Zoo’s mission is to be a dynamic and exciting action destination that inspires people to love, respect, and protect wildlife and wild spaces. R&P was asked to design an interpretive center that visitors would explore prior to viewing the giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao. Unique to other panda exhibits across North America, the Toronto Zoo’s Panda Interpretive Centre was to provide an educational focus and highlight the importance of this five-year conservation loan.
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
The Design
The giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, were expected to draw 10,000 visitors per day. To accommodate the crowds, the 8,000 square foot trail and interpretive center was designed to not only help accommodate the flow of visitors but make their wait a pleasant and learning experience.
The environment was carefully themed to reflect the cultural significance of giant pandas in Chinese art and culture. Well-known for their woodblock printed artworks, this traditional Chinese art form was an inspiration for the bold modern aesthetic used for the signage. A series of woodblock stamped icons in the style of oriental horoscope animals were used throughout to help visitors connect related themes while traditional oriental scalloped patterns helped unify exhibit components with playfully hidden giant panda illustrations. This, coupled with life-sized animal images, large environmental graphics, and bamboo patterns within the space not only provided context and realism to the fascinating story of the giant panda but reflected the playful nature, and beauty of this rare and culturally significant animal.
Designed for adults and children alike, exhibit themes were explored through a variety of graphics and model displays, interactive features, multimedia games, and media presentations.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
The Result
Over the course of five years, visitors were entertained with world-class interpretive elements while visiting the beloved pandas. The Zoo used the visitor experience at the Interpretive Centre to inspire visitors to join in the conservation efforts currently underway to help protect this and other endangered species. The Centre was closely integrated with the Zoo’s conservation and research programs to build public awareness and profile of the Zoo’s higher purpose. Well over one million visitors experienced the Panda Interpretive Centre during the pandas’ five year stay.
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Photo courtesy of Kerun IP
Case Study/Behind the Scenes
The popular exhibit involved working collaboratively with the Zoo’s many departments as well as with the integrated design team of exhibit, graphic, and media designers. Biweekly project charrettes throughout the design phase with members of zoo staff, R&P, Blue Sky Design (interpretive planners), and the Design Foundation (media designers) provided an opportunity to test ideas and provide feedback at all stages of the project development. R&P’s collaboration with the entire project team resulted in design experiences that championed the Zoo’s mission with an entertaining and interactive focus.
One of the most significant and iconic symbols of wildlife conservation is the giant panda. At 8,000 square feet, the Panda Interpretive Centre at the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest panda educational facilities in the world...Robin Hale, Toronto Zoo Chief Operating Officer
