I’m a relative new-comer to the zoo design game, when you consider folks like Jon Coe and Grant Jones. They’ve been doing great things for 40 years! I started my career as a sophomore in college in the amazing Zoo and Aquarium specialty within the zoology department at Michigan State University. Like most college kids, I was lost as to what I wanted to be when I grew up, but knew I loved animals. I started in zoology and stumbled into the zoo and aquarium specialization, where luckily, I learned zoo designers really do exist.
I learned all I could about zoo design, immersing myself in articles and books and visits to zoos. I learned about different firms that do zoo design, and visited them. I learned that I needed more than a zoology degree. So, after graduating from MSU, I headed to North Carolina to the landscape architecture program at NCSU. There, I learned the necessary skills to actually represent my ideas and started thinking very differently about spaces and experiences. There, I learned to become a designer. Afterwards, I headed to St. Louis, where I am now, and am learning how to do everything else related to design and construction, including how to work with clients and how to work with designers of other disciplines. Its very exciting, heartbreaking, agonizing, and amazing work. And I’ve only just begun.
Resume
Stacey M. Tarpley
EDUCATION
MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE WITH HIGH HONORS
North Carolina State University—Raleigh, NC
August 2000-May 2003
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ZOOLOGY WITH HIGH HONORS
Michigan State University—East Lansing, MI
Concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Science
August 1997-May 2000
ZOO, AQUARIUM, AND WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
PECKHAM, GUYTON, ALBERS & VIETS, SAINT LOUIS, MO
Zoological Planner and Site Designer, May 2003-Present
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Design animal habitats, educational big ideas, and experiential storylines for zoos, aquaria, theme parks, museums.
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Create master plans for long term success of animal related institutions.
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Assist with various project management duties including estimates, communication logs, meeting leadership, etc.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, RALEIGH, NC
Thesis Project: Historic Zoo Architecture: Creating New Meaning, May 2002-May 2003
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Intense evaluation of successful integration of historic zoo structures into modern exhibitry practices and its implications for communication of zoo message and creation of meaning.
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Application of devised theory and principles on design site: National Zoo’s Elephant House
TRIANGLE METRO ZOO, WAKE FOREST, NC
Zoo Design Independent Studio, July 2002-December 2002
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Evaluated and prepared ten year Master Plan for small rural zoo.
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Created base maps, conducted analysis, made recommendations, and prepared document, including site design, master plan, design standards, and storyline, for planning and marketing purposes.
URSA INTERNATIONAL, ATLANTA, GA
Zoo Design Independent Study, June 2001
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Intense design workshop between principal and myself for the Master Plan and detailed designs for specific exhibits within Jamaica’s Hope Zoo.
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Evaluated implemented designs at Zoo Atlanta and proposed designs for Stone Mountain Farm
CINCINNATI ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, CINCINNATI, OH
Graphics and Exhibits Intern, June 1999-August 1999
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Developed educational themes for the new Arctic and Vanishing Giants exhibits.
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Studied and documented exhibit efficiency based on visitor interest and animal activity.
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Fabricated and maintained graphics, signs, and various exhibit furnishings
BINDER PARK ZOO, BATTLE CREEK, MI
Exhibit Construction Crew Chief, May 1998- August 1998
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Supervised and constructed new Colobus Monkey exhibit as part of Wild Africa—a 50 acre expansion of zoo
KENYAN NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES, KENYA, AFRICA
Study Abroad, May 1998
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Evaluated and developed management practices for the parks system. Observed animal habitats and behaviors
MEMBERSHIPS, ACTIVITIES, AWARDS, PROFICIENCIES
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AZA Professional Development Class: Creating Successful Exhibits (Class Completion and Speaker)
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American Zoo and Aquarium Association
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LABASH 2003 Program Design and Speaker Coordination Director
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Graduate Team Design Commendation: 2002 ASLA National Student Design Competition
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2002 NC-ASLA Award for Excellence
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Proficient in AutoCad, PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite, Filemaker, and 3D model making
RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
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Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
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Argosy Casino, Riverside, Missouri
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Six Flags Marine World 2005 Expansion, Vallejo, CA
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Six Flags Great Adventure Kingda Ka, New Jersey
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Busch Gardens Sheikra Expansion, Tampa, Florida
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Louisville Zoo Polar Marine Exhibit, Louisville Zoo
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Big Bear Zoo Master Plan, Fawnskin, California
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Brookfield Zoo Master Plan, Chicago, Illinois
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Brookfield Zoo Great Wild North, Chicago, Illinois
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St. Louis Zoo Master Plan, St. Louis, Missouri
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Sea World Aquatica, Orlando, Florida
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National Aviary Expansion, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Rebranding, Vallejo, CA
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Sea World San Diego Dolphin Show Pool, San Diego, CA
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Sea World San Diego Dolphin Interaction Pool, San Diego, CA
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Discovery Cove Reef Improvements, Orlando, Florida
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Baha Mar Resort Landscape and Animal Exhibits Design, Nassau, Bahamas
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Odyssey Marine Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Kansas City Zoo Entry Experience, Kansas City, Kansas
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Worlds of Discovery Dubai Planning/Design, Dubai, UAE
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Zoo New England, Master Plan, Boston, Massachusetts
July 7, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Hello!
So exciting to hear that there is fresh blood (so to speak) on the zoo design scene! I am a veterinary student, hoping to persue a PhD in architecture with the specific focus of formalizing the study of design for animals. If you check out my website: http://www.zooark.com, you can see a project that I had a while back studying zoo architecture. I would love to do what you are doing- but I am having a hard time melding design with vet school (not to mention, I do not have a formalized education in design).
I wondered if you had any advice for me on future possibilities in the world of zoo design- especially if I am not an architect?
All the best- and wonderful to meet you- even if only electronically,
katie
July 7, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Katie…What a great website and amazing experience you had! I’m very jealous!
To answer you question regarding advice on possibilities in zoo design…
It truly depends on how you see yourself. Do you want to be in an office, creating drawings, working with multiple clients and subconsultants around the world, with lots of travel and a fast paced environment OR be in one place working directly with animals, developing long-term, day to day relationships with zoo staff, contributing to design through your own hands-on experience?
The first requires a degree in design. You can easily get a Masters degree in Architecture or Landscape Architecture with no design background in 3 years from universities around the world. With your experience, you’d have no problem finding a job with one of the many design firms listed on the Firms link.
The latter would keep you on the course you have set now. Finishing up Vet School, specializing in exotics, and finding employment at a zoo. Obviously in this function, you will not be working day in and day out on design projects. BUT, in every zoo project I have worked on, the vet played an important decision making part, especially if he/she has an interest in applying vet medicine / animal science to exhibit design.
Generally, either route you go, you’ll find the zoo world to be incredibly welcoming and open to folks with ideas. If you are passionate about it, you’ll find a way to apply your ideas and knowledge. Finding the right ears to listen is the hardest part.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Stacey
July 8, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hello Katie and Stacey,
I would add that there are very few…really, count them on one hand…people who are spending most of their time on zoo design. There isn’t enough work and there are too many firms for that dream. Most firms may also work on planning, nature centers, industrial projects, parks, etc.
If zoos are your love, you might want to work for a zoo (as Stacey suggests). In a zoo setting, there is the opportunity to develop a program that is marketed to other zoos (like Ellen Dierenfeld’s nutrition program that began when she was at the Bronx Zoo)Also, there is no better way to learn what zoo design is!
Enjoy!
Rob
February 3, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hi Stacey,
Nice to come across your site through a ping back to one of my own http://zoofunding.wordpress.com. I am also at Johnreganassociates.com
I shall add you to my blogroll. You help to design and build zoos and exhibits, we help them get the funding in the first place.
As it happens the Chester Zoo project you blogged on was something I started when I lead the Development Office there
April 23, 2009 at 6:50 am
I just want to say I am currently in the beginning stages of getting my education in OUR field. I am a sophmore and hope to transfer to the university of Arizona fall of 09. Your info really helped me learn exactly what I need to do. I wish I could meet with you and see your work and talk about design process and things like that.
May 7, 2009 at 3:21 pm
hi.. love to see you.
I am fadzli.. I am from Malaysia
Basically my final year project is regarding
on slow loris..
hope that i can share with you about my project..
Currently, I am in the school of landscape architecture in local university.
Do you have any experience regarding on the primates exhibit?
June 3, 2009 at 2:03 am
Anyone interested in designing for the primate exhibit?
June 3, 2009 at 2:02 am
you are great..
June 12, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Hello Stacey-
Just stumbled on your site while browsing for the Komodo Dragon project I just finished at Jacksonville Zoo. Thought I would drop you a note. I work at CLR and received my MArch from NCSU in 1994. Did the elephant project at NC Zoo a few years ago. Right now I’m working on projects at Birmingham Zoo and Dallas (with Rob Halpern). Good luck!
Jacqueline
December 19, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Awesome website.
September 7, 2010 at 1:25 pm
We are in the process of preparing a proposal for Turtle Back Zoo in west Orange, NJ. The project involves exhibit design for Jaguars and Cougars as well as civil engineering design. We are Civil Engineers but need to team with a zoo exhibit designer. If you are interested in teaming with us, I will forward a copy of the RFP for your review.
July 7, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Hi! Your website and experiences are very inspiring. I’m in my final yr of my B.S Architecture course and currently doing my thesis proposal on Avicultural discovery complex. Basically, it’s a bird park, learning hub, and recreational spaces combined into one project. I’m having a hard time formulating on what particular facilities I should provide in such project. If I’m not mistaken, my project is somehow similar to a zoo? I hope you could give me some advice on how I should design my complex and what effective research methods I can do? Thank you!