Animal Habitat Design Workshop

Animal Habitat Design

Combine animal science, architecture, and creativity to design spaces where animals can stay healthy, active, and engaged.

What does an animal need to thrive? How do you design a habitat for a species that can’t tell you what it wants? And how do you create a space that works for both animals and the people who come to see them? In Animal Habitat Design, you’ll step into the role of a zoo habitat designer.

Start small by designing enclosures for pets and building hands-on terrariums, while discovering the difference between what animals need to survive and what they need to thrive. Then, choose a species and research its habitat, climate, diet, behavior, and social needs to create a complete needs profile. Use what you learn to design enrichment activities, from puzzle feeders to climbing structures, that encourage animals to explore, move, and problem-solve. Finally, scale up your ideas into a full zoo exhibit, balancing animal welfare, visitor experience, and a real-world budget. When surprise challenges come your way, you’ll adapt your design before building a scale model and presenting your exhibit at a grand opening to a panel of zoo directors and guests.