Charlotte, North Carolina, US-based Hendrick Construction has won a contract to build five new buildings and expand the North Carolina Zoo's 37-acre African Plains habitat.

The project, designed by Schema Architecture of Raleigh, N.C., includes a rhinoceros barn, three hoof-stock barns and a treatment barn with connected paddocks and animal holding facilities. Hendrick Construction will also repair the exhibit's existing barns. In addition to rhinoceros, the new buildings will house gazelle, antelope and other plains animals.

The treatment barn will be the new headquarters for the African Plains keepers, complete with office and meeting space. The building will also feature space for minor veterinarian procedures, recovery stalls, nursery stalls, an animal food preparation area and a special workspace for restraining antelope without the stress and risk of chemical immobilisation.

Incorporating translucent wall panels to allow for natural light, the three new hoof-stock barns will include community stalls, keeper areas, feed storage and isolation stalls.

The 11-acre expansion will feature extensive wood- and vinyl-coated fencing, as well as indigenous turf, plants and landscaping to control erosion and mimic the animals' natural environments.

Completion of the project is scheduled for June 2011.

Image: Stig Nygaard