Zoo and animal sanctuary design is experiencing a clear shift. What was once driven largely by precedent and visual interpretation is increasingly shaped by measurable outcomes and scientific insight. Across the industry, institutions are moving toward evidence-based planning that prioritizes animal welfare, behavioral health, and long term adaptability over design intent alone.
This evolution is not theoretical. It reflects changing expectations among zoological professionals, researchers, and governing bodies who are asking design teams to demonstrate how environments support animal well-being in observable and defensible ways.
Leading Institutions Are Prioritizing Outcomes Over Intent
Many leading zoological institutions are now focused on demonstrating outcomes rather than relying on design narratives or visual realism. Research published in Annual Review of Animal Biosciences emphasizes that animal welfare in managed care environments must be evaluated through measurable indicators such as behavioral diversity, stress reduction, and the ability for animals to exercise choice and control within their habitats (Mellor et al., 2023).
Similarly, studies in Animals and Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research highlight the growing importance of welfare assessment frameworks that evaluate how animals interact with their environments rather than how environments are intended to function. These frameworks are increasingly influencing how habitats are planned, reviewed, and funded.
This shift places new responsibility on design teams to articulate how specific decisions contribute to animal welfare outcomes and how success will be evaluated over time.
Animal Behavior Research Is Informing Design Earlier
Animal behavior research and veterinary science are now informing design earlier in the planning process. Rather than being consulted after concepts are developed, animal care teams and researchers are increasingly involved in shaping habitat layouts, spatial complexity, microclimates, substrates, and enrichment strategies from the outset.
A 2024 review published in Animals notes that zoos integrating welfare science into design planning achieve better long term outcomes by aligning physical environments with species specific behavioral needs rather than adapting exhibits after completion (Rose and Riley, 2024). This approach supports environments that evolve with animals and reduces the need for corrective interventions later.
At Epsten Group, this approach has informed work across a range of projects. At the Oklahoma Zoo Galapagos tortoise exhibit, early collaboration with animal care professionals helped shape habitat scale, circulation patterns, and enrichment features to encourage natural movement and behavioral diversity for a long lived species with specific spatial needs. At Riverside Discovery Center, early behavioral insights influenced habitat complexity and guest viewing strategies to balance animal comfort with educational engagement.
Projects such as the African savanna and lion habitats at Zoo Atlanta further demonstrate how species-specific research informs decisions around shade access, sightline management, social grouping, and retreat spaces. These are design decisions rooted in observation and science rather than aesthetics alone.
Post Occupancy Evaluation Is Closing the Feedback Loop
Design no longer ends when an exhibit opens. Post occupancy evaluation is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in zoo and sanctuary projects, allowing teams to assess how environments perform once animals and guests are actively using the space.
Research on post occupancy evaluation in zoological settings, including work published through ResearchGate and academic design journals, highlights the value of observing animal behavior, gathering keeper feedback, and assessing environmental conditions after occupancy to determine whether design goals are met. These evaluations help identify what is working well and where adjustments may improve welfare or operational efficiency.
This feedback loop supports a culture of learning and continuous improvement, allowing institutions to build internal knowledge that informs future projects and elevates overall performance across their portfolios.
Applying Evidence Based Planning in Practice
For our designers at Epsten Group, evidence-based planning is a practical and collaborative process. By engaging animal care teams, veterinarians, and operations staff early, design decisions are grounded in firsthand expertise and observed needs. This approach supports both new habitats and renovations, where post occupancy insights can guide targeted improvements without starting from scratch.
Across projects, integrating research, observation, and evaluation helps ensure that habitats are resilient, adaptable, and aligned with institutional missions focused on conservation, education, and animal well-being.
