As the HVAC and fire protection contractor for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s new Adventure Cove Region, TP Mechanical had the rare opportunity to work on a project to improve the comfort and safety of sea lions, harbor seals, stingrays and an immersive mixed-species habitat.
Adventure Cove consists of several habitats, including Stingray Bay, Animal Encounters Village and the sea lion holding and habitat pools and underwater viewing building. The HVAC for these new areas in the zoo will provide heating and cooling to keep visitors comfortable, while using heat exchangers to regulate water temperature in the habitats. For our team, one of the most exciting parts of the project was seeing the underwater viewing structure come together. Guests will now be able to walk through a comfortable, conditioned space while watching sea lions and harbor seals interact from above.
Working within a zoo environment presented new and unique project challenges. In the Animal Encounters Village, exhibit and interpretive designers created an immersive street scene. The detailed exhibits required TP’s fire protection team to work closely with inspectors and designers to ensure equipment provided adequate coverage. With safety as our top priority, our team also guaranteed the sprinkler system was code compliant while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of this habitat.
The project first began in mid-2018 and was completed in July 2020. Our team is excited to have put the TP footprint into this magnificent new region of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Other Team Members:
Smoot, Construction Manager
TP Team:
Joel Walter, Project Manager
Evan Reed, Assistant Project Manager
