The Werribee Zoo project represents a unique fusion of architectural design and civic infrastructure, reimagining the conventional cable car station as a thoughtful and site-responsive architectural experience. Working across three key nodes within the zoo, Station 1: Savannah, Station 2: Middle, and Station 3: Waterhole. The design carefully responds to the distinct ecological and visual character of each location, creating a cohesive yet varied architectural language across the site.
Rather than treating the cable car stations as purely functional or secondary structures, the design elevates them to become an integral part of the zoo experience. While the core architecture is grounded in familiar construction logic, using conventional structural steel frames, the visual and experiential interest emerges through the facade treatment and its relationship to the zoo’s broader thematic context.
Taking inspiration from the animals skin, the facades feature overlapping patterns, linear motifs, and organic stripes that reference the camouflage and textures found in species such as zebras and giraffes. These visual cues are not literal imitations but abstract interpretations that give each station its own identity while tying them together through a shared materiality and conceptual framework. A moire effect created through perforated metal patterns adds an additional layer of movement and visual intrigue, echoing the rhythm and energy of the animals that roam nearby.
For SGKS ARCH, embedding design elements that speak to both architecture and the natural world, the Werribee Zoo cable car stations blur the line between infrastructure and experience. The result is a project that not only serves its practical purpose but enhances the storytelling and immersion central to the zoo’s mission.
Stage: Conceptual
Location: Werribee, VIC
