PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 2023
Contact: Megan Mickey, Studio Southwest Architects
2101 Mountain Rd, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-843-9639
mmickey@studioswarch.com
The Australia at the ABQ BioPark Zoo Project Celebrates Cultural Diversity and Wildlife as Phase 1 Construction Wraps Up
Albuquerque, NM, September 13, 2023 – Studio Southwest Architects is thrilled to see the Australia Exhibit taking shape at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo. As the Lorikeet and Little Blue Penguin exhibits near construction completion, visitors can expect to embark on an immersive journey through the rich cultural heritage and breathtaking flora and fauna of Australia. With a deep commitment to promoting understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures, this groundbreaking exhibit offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the vibrant tapestry of Australia’s First Nations People and their profound connection to Country, the unique land and its inhabitants.
The 3,500 sf and 12,000 sf exhibits embrace the principles of cultural respect, authenticity, and collaboration. Developed in partnership with Boomalli Consulting, who has led the cultural design and curated the contribution of twenty-five Cultural Practitioners across six Clan groups. The cultural inclusions have taken three years and in excess of 14,000 kilometers of travel to produce, and showcase the ingenuity of Australia’s First Nation’s people. The immersive exhibits provide an authentic experience of Australia’s First Nations People, land and culture. Visitors will be captivated by compelling storytelling, traditional and contemporary visual display, as well as interactive displays that highlight the deep spiritual connection, Ancestral wisdom, and continued practices that Australia’s First Nations Peoples’ have maintained over thousands of years to care for Country.
Visitors will be guided through three main regional people groups on a path that evokes the ‘Country’ of each group: Saltwater (coastal areas), Freshwater (permanent freshwater areas), and Dry Land (desert areas). This path through Country showcases Australia’s remarkable land and wildlife coupled with authentic cultural immersion experiences such as narration through optic murals and artefacts. Through carefully curated habitats and educational signage, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the ancient, intricate interplay between First Nations People communities, the land, and the unique wildlife that calls Australia home.
Australia at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo is a testament to the zoo’s commitment to fostering cultural understanding and appreciation for the native environments of the people, animals, and plants they share. It serves as an educational platform, inviting visitors to connect with the cultural and ecological significance of Australia while encouraging a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the natural world.
For more information about the Australia Exhibit please visit studioswarch.com.
