Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo Entryway

Atascadero, CA

2010

TESTIMONIAL

“I am especially impressed with Ravatt Albrecht’s ability to take complicated ideas and turn them into real and functional improvements. The City often provided just conceptual ideas and your team was able to turn them into designs and in record time also. In addition, your team was able to meet our accelerated deadlines for bidding and construction, thus allowing the City to maintain zoo accreditation.”

– David M. Athey, Deputy Public Works Director, City of Atascadero

PROJECT STATS

Client: City of Atascadero
Cost: $848,870
Size: 2,300 sq. ft. entry + 700 sq. ft. facility
Year Complete: 2010

DESIGN & ENGINEERING TEAM

Ravatt Albrecht & Associates

STAKEHOLDERS

City of Atascadero Public Works Department

REQUIRED REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

City of Atascadero Design Guidelines
USGBC Sustainable Design Regulations

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Modernize an obsolete zoo entry, providing up-to-date and functional staff and visitor facilities.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Ravatt Albrecht & Associates provided design and expansion work this 2,300 sq. ft. entry building, ticket booth, offices, retail shop and café, and 700 sq. ft. restroom facility at the Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo. Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo has always been an educational pillar in the community, offering fun and informative experiences to the people of the central coast of California. With that in mind, the design of the zoo expansion incorporates many educational devices to help the public learn more about what the zoo is doing to be sustainable.

Work included design of the new entry building and the new public restrooms to attractively incorporate sustainable practices, such as rainwater collection, straw bale constructed walls, energy efficient appliances and systems, and renewable materials. Its updated entry building includes a ticket office, administration offices, an enlarged retail shop and a snack bar. The wood truss framed structure is designed with an open floor plan to adjust to the zoo’s flexible needs, yet provide a comfortable atmosphere to its occupants. This financially responsible design exemplifies many of the artisan ideals laid out by Atascadero’s design guidelines.

The result is a contemporary project that has set a precedent for other businesses in Atascadero to look to for craft, sustainability and advanced design. The zoo can now also provide the public with conservation ideas and tips, while modeling the concept of how local changes can make a difference in our world.

RAVATT ALBRECHT & ASSOCIATES SERVICES

Architectural and sustainable design.