AZA - Here we come!
15/08/22 15:34 Filed in: AZA Conference Post
Ursa in the HOUSE!!! True that! Looks like after 25 years in the AZA, I'm finally going to experience the great unknown! What it's like to be "in the booth"! I usually spend a lot of time in the exhibit hall, talking to vendors, designers and other commercial members, but like a grandparent - I can leave! This year I talked the Epsten Group into doing a booth, then they turned around and talked me into sitting in it. So - this year I get to experience the cold shoulders of "i'm not interested" and the "how do you design a zoo" questions from the 1st timers and the great homecoming greetings from friends that I haven't seen in three years. I am looking forward to it - but i'm also quite curious how it feels to watch the parade of attendees walk by and see if I can grab their attention for just a minute as they zoom by on their way to an important talk or meeting.
The Epsten Group is the Architectural firm in Atlanta that I have been working with for many years, on all my recent work at Zoo Atlanta (Complex Carnivore, Boundless Budges, and the Grand New View Elephant project) as well as several projects at Oklahoma City Zoo (Condor, Galapagos Tortoise, Orangutan Climber) as well as the Grizzly Bear habitat for Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and currently working with Earthfire Institute developing a sanctuary for four Grizzly bears on four acres on the eastern slope of the Tetons in Idaho. We are excited to be able to present some of this work as well as meet everyone at AZA. There is so much turnover in leadership and staffing, there will be lots of new faces and this will be a good time for us to meet new people and talk about our approach.
Epsten Group is a multi-disciplinary firm in the Sustainable architecture world. Not only are their Architects well versed on Sustainable Design, but they have department focusing on Commissioning Services for engineering systems, Building Enclosure consulting as well as LEED, WELL and other Green building solutions. They have been very good to Ursa International over the years as they have jumped into the Zoo Design space with me and have learned a lot about what it takes to satisfy the Zoo community as we make sure we provide the best product for the budget and on-time delivery as well as keeping "Wellness" for the animals front of mind at all times. I think we will open up some eyes at AZA with our wholistic approach to sustainability and wellness for zoo exhibits.
They put together this blurb about Ursa as an invite to drop by the booth - and I post it here as well to join the early announcements to Stop By!
"Nevin Lash, from Ursa International, is a key part of the Zoo Design team as our Habitat Consultant. We have had the joy of partnering with Nevin on multiple zoo projects over the past ten years. Nevin formed Ursa International in 1994 and has provided zoo design leadership on over 60 projects for more than 30 institutions in 12 countries. This extensive experience allows him to work quickly to establish concepts that work for the entire design team and transition smoothly into construction documents. Nevin works diligently to ensure that each animal’s physical and behavioral needs are met, their natural habitat is replicated as closely as possible within the constraints of each exhibit area, and that the visitor and staff are given the best experience. Come see Nevin and the rest of our team at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference."
If you are going to Baltimore this year for AZA - come on by and say hi! We will have some fun.
addendum:
Turns out…I will not be allowed in the booth as I am not an employee of the Epsten Group! By official rules I will not be allowed to do the booth thing ; -(
I will have to cruise the room like all the other folks - looking for some love.