2025 East Best Projects
Award of Merit, Cultural/Worship: Elmwood Park Zoo Animal Hospital and Welcome Center
Elmwood Park Zoo Animal Hospital and Welcome Center
Norristown, Pa.
Award of Merit
Submitted by INTECH Construction
Owner: Elmwood Park Zoo
Lead Design Firm: Charles Cross & Associates
General Contractor: INTECH Construction
Civil Engineer: Apex Design + Engineer Group
Structural Engineer: O’Donnell & Naccarato
MEP Engineer: Barry Isett & Associates
Landscape Architect: Glackin Thomas Panzak Inc.
Part of a multiphase renovation and expansion of the zoo’s 73-acre master campus, the project includes site upgrades, a new animal hospital, a welcome center with exhibit space, gift shop and administrative offices.
The project team overcame a host of challenges to meet an accelerated schedule that included a 30-day acclimation time for the animals.
When preparing the site for construction, the team encountered unsuitable soil that included compaction and drainage issues.
Remediation delayed foundations by two weeks, a setback that was absorbed later in construction. The schedule was further complicated by owner-requested changes to electrical upgrades and landscaping and the discovery of heavy rock during the plaza excavation.
By planning critical construction events during preconstruction, using design-build for certain elements such as a pedestrian bridge and encouraging teamwide communication, the project was completed in time for the zoo’s 100th anniversary.
