Seattle, Washington – August 13, 2025 – LMN is pleased to announce continued progress on the Forest Trailhead at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The new pavilion and forest landscape exhibit are envisioned to inspire, educate, and promote conservation awareness among visitors.

With Woodland Park Zoo preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary, new construction images showcase the transformation underway at the Forest Trailhead. The Pavilion and immersive forest landscape will establish a dynamic center for inspiration, education, and conservation, reinforcing the zoo’s commitment to its mission and community.

Osama Quotah, Partner at LMN, comments: “Designed to be one of the most innovative mass plywood pavilions, the project enriches the public experience by combining powerful human-animal connections, conservation stories and dynamic spaces, which foster empathy and deepen our understanding of our interdependency with the forest habitats and animals at the zoo. We are very excited for the construction progress and look forward to experiencing how the building supports Woodland Park Zoo’s mission.”

The team will conclude construction on the pavilion, which began in May 2024, at the end of summer. Opening in 2026, the nearly complete 12,000-square-foot building and 1-acre grounds will offer visitors interactive experiences that promote a hopeful perspective on the future of forests and their dependent communities. Located adjacent to the zoo’s main entrance at the West Plaza, Forest Trailhead immerses guests in the wildlife and habitats of the world’s forests, while spotlighting Woodland Park Zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts and partnerships locally and globally.

The exhibit’s design invites visitors to explore the forest from multiple dynamic vantage points, beginning with the elevated canopy path that offers an immersive treetop perspective alongside resident tree kangaroos and red pandas. The Forest Pavilion’s upper level provides additional animal viewing, while accessible pathways lead to mid-level and lower-level exhibits featuring kea parrots, tree-dwelling reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates in mixed-species groups. Throughout the journey, interpretive plazas enrich the experience, empowering visitors to see themselves as active members of the conservation community.

The mass plywood pavilion features a dynamic, fractal-inspired design inspired by organic forms found in nature. Sustainable materials—including recycled composite cladding and regionally sourced mass plywood—underscore the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Circular skylights create dappled light reminiscent of sunlight filtering through leaves, enhancing the immersive atmosphere.

Forest Trailhead’s community-oriented design process engaged a diverse range of stakeholders, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the project incorporates strategies to reduce embodied carbon, manage stormwater onsite, and promote biophilic design, including bird-safe glazing and a photovoltaic roof array.

Jennifer DuHamel, Principal at LMN, comments: “The construction milestones achieved to date reflect our commitment to delivering a world-class facility that will serve as a vibrant hub for the community. From the innovative design solutions to the careful attention to detail on site, every phase of construction brings us closer to realizing the project’s vision.”

As construction nears completion, the project invites everyone to embark on a journey of discovery and stewardship—connecting the Pacific Northwest community to the beauty, complexity, and future of the world’s forests.

LMN is the recipient of the 2016 AIA National Architecture Firm Award and is widely recognized for its design of projects that support smart, sustainable, cities. The firm has designed several important civic and cultural projects throughout North America, including the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion in Seattle, the Voxman Music Building in Iowa City, and is currently designing the new Austin Convention Center Renovation in Austin. The firm underscores its ongoing dedication to communities at all scales through its context-driven, iconic work across Washington state and beyond.

Learn more about the project here.