Sedgwick County Zoo Jungle Roof Replacement
Location: Wichita, Kansas Owner: Sedgwick County Zoo Architect: GLMV Architecture Construction: Eby ConstructionThe original Jungle Building at the Sedgwick County Zoo was built by Eby Construction in 1976. The existing Kalwall and structural skylight system was removed and replaced with a new galvanized structural steel frame and hi-tech Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE) foil cushion roof system. The Sedgwick County Zoo is only the second zoo in the U.S. to have this amazing system (Buffalo, New York, was the first).
The roofing system allows a tremendous amount of additional light and UV into the building, which is healthier for the plants, trees and animals. Previously, the exhibit registered at 49 foot-candles of light. After completion, the exhibit registered at 4,000 foot-candles, over 80 times brighter than the original roof. The staff has also reported seeing various fruits growing from plants that have never bloomed before.
