![]() Nagle preferred the collaborative approach over the “we are the experts” approach laid out by the other firms. Richard Nagle, Director of the Zoo, while they were working on the project. Frank Zaremba, a project team member who joined Huygens and Tappé from Cambridge Seven after the selection, recounted a conversation he had with Dr. ![]() He noted that the team was good at organization, planning and architecture and together they would make an outstanding project. ![]() Asked in the interview what Huygens and Tappe’ knew about zoos, Tony’s reply was “ absolutely nothing.” He went on to say that the team was good at listening and he looked to the zoo leaders and animal caretakers for their expertise on the animals. Three firms made the shortlist: Perry Dean and Rodgers, who had done a master plan for the zoo in 1967 and were considered to be the front runner Cambridge Seven Associates, a multi-disciplinary practice known internationally for aquariums and Huygens and Tappé, a design-centered practice with a strong consultant team and well known exhibit designer. The RFP also stated that “The Greeting” should remain an open vista from gate to gate. An auditorium seating 250 persons, an administration building and a service complex for the zoo are also to be provided.The program also included outdoor animal exhibition areas totaling approximately 14 acres adjacent to enclosed animal holding facilities to be provided within the exhibits enclosure. Approximately 6.5 acres of animal exhibits are to be enclosed under roof.The Zoo will operate as an educational and research facility as well as a permanent wildlife and botanical exhibition.Exhibits are to be grouped according to the four major African ecologies: Desert, Tropical Forest, Veldt, and Bush Forest Region.A new zoo for the New England region permitting the year-round exhibition of African wildlife in enclosed environments which resemble the animals’ natural habitat.The program in the RFP established the following goals: By the early 1970’s there was a desire to revitalize the zoo and hopefully the neighborhood around it. In 1958, the Metropolitan District Commission took over management of the zoo and began charging admission. The zoo flourished initially and then fell into disrepair during the depression and World War II. When the zoo formally opened in 1912, the design had departed from Olmstead’s original vision in that it included more exotic animals. In his original plan, “The Greeting,” a 3,000 foot long formal open space in the northeast corner of the park, was to be surrounded by facilities for public gathering, including a natural habitat zoo garden housing native species similar to the deer parks of European estates. The idea of a zoo in Franklin Park came from Frederick Law Olmstead himself. This was the first time the office would work with these large firms, who would become frequent collaborators over the next 30 years. To this team, Tony added Weidlinger, a world renowned structural engineering firm and Cosentini, the leading mechanical engineering firm in the city. He agreed to be an exclusive consultant to Huygens and Tappé for exhibit design. ![]() Johnson’s approach of thinking of the zoo as a set design evolved into the trend of natural habitat zoos. He first contacted Jerry Johnson, a former set designer who had led the multi-disciplinary exhibit design team at the Bronx Zoo. In my recent lunches with Tony, I have tried to gain some insight into his marketing expertise and he usually answers with a humble “ we just went and won the job.” But for this project, he articulated a specific strategy that led to winning the commission. The early years of success are a testament of Tony Tappé’s connections, marketing skills, and design talent in the firm. I hope one of the takeaways about the culture of the firm is the sheer variety of projects we have designed. Not only is it an unusual project type, it also references the common refrain “from A to Z,” communicating a wide range of design capabilities. Often, when asked to describe the breadth of the firm’s work, I will use a project type relevant to the person inquiring and bracket the other end with the zoo. FRANKLIN PARK ZOO, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 1972-1989
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