San Diego Zoo BASECAMP

I am nominating HGW Architecture for an orchid award for their vision and execution of our city’s much anticipated Basecamp located at our world famous San Diego Zoo! This nomination is on behalf of the dozens of children and families that come into our business, Kids on the POINT OT, weekly. The feedback we have gotten from every single family who has been consists of nothing but praises- some favorites include playing alongside monkeys, running across rope bridges, splashing in the stream down below, cooling off with the giant marble ball, and admiring the wildlife habitats up close. We understand the value that creating space scaled for children’s bodies has on their safety, well-being, and overall development. Basecamp is a place where families can go to explore, climb, learn, interact, splash, play, and dream together- it’s a place that sparks imagination, a place where you hear the sounds of belly laughs and witness what it means to learn through play- a child’s main job! Not only are there plenty of options where kids can move and play, but the value they placed on building in educational displays to highlight the animals is unparalleled. The new basecamp structures and landscape are woven into the greater zoo space with such lovely attention to detail and aesthetic, allowing for new perspectives upon each visit.

Basecamp has added a unique value to the beauty of what the zoo already had to offer. HGW Architecture used this project to highlight what it means to utilize space for a functional and fun purpose. The details in design allows for families to have a true experience when they visit Basecamp; leading to memories and traditions that will surely extend into many future generations. 

HGW Architecture, on behalf of many families within our city, we THANK YOU for this beautiful contribution that you have created for our San Diego Zoo!