The Outcome
Over time, it became evident that the existing gorilla enclosure, which had stood resiliently since the 1980s, no longer met modern standards for animal welfare. As a result, a new, state-of-the-art enclosure is now under construction. Several enabling works were required to facilitate this, including the construction of a temporary wall within the current enclosure to serve as a protective barrier, ensuring the gorillas remain safely housed while the new facility is built.
How we did it
With sustainability in focus, low-carbon concrete was used to construct a multi-purpose wall. Designed for flexibility, the wall can be repurposed as a retaining wall, capable of holding back up to 4 meters of soil, or adapted for future use in a new enclosure, storage compounds, or other applications. This approach reduces carbon impact and promotes reuse. Spanning over 20 meters, the wall is composed of different units tailored to the desired profile, each with unique lifting points based on weight, geometry, and centre of gravity. Precise calculations were key to ensuring accurate positioning for vertical lifts, requiring meticulous attention to detail.
The Challenge
The panels' weight was accurately planned to match the lifting capacity and reach of the available crane in Jersey, with the heaviest unit weighing 15 tons—an unusually large load for this distance. To ensure a flawless lift, the structural team worked closely with the crane operator, stressing the importance of precision at every stage. With no spare units available, any mistake would have caused major delays to the project. Because of this careful coordination, the lift was completed successfully.