Masterplanning
Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation and education charity committed to creating a future where nature can survive and thrive. Its Chester site is home to more than 37,000 animals and welcomes millions of visitors, whose support helps make its species-saving work possible.
Buttress was appointed to help shape two major new experiences within the zoo: The Reserve, its first overnight accommodation, and Heart of Africa, an ambitious new habitat bringing visitors closer to the wildlife and landscapes at the heart of the zoo’s conservation work.
Across both projects, our approach was rooted in the relationship between people, animals and landscape. Rather than treating the architecture as a destination in isolation, we designed buildings that sit naturally within the zoo environment, opening up views, encouraging discovery and creating deeper connections with the natural world.
The Reserve at Chester Zoo
The Reserve introduces overnight stays to Chester Zoo for the first time, offering guests the opportunity to experience the zoo and its wildlife from a completely new perspective.
The development comprises 51 savannah-inspired lodges set within the landscape, alongside a central welcome building overlooking a lake and the giraffe habitat. Designed as the starting point for each stay, the building includes a restaurant and waterside terrace, with a first-floor bar offering panoramic views across the habitat.
The architecture was designed to immerse guests in the landscape while responding sensitively to the needs of its animal inhabitants. The buildings open towards their surroundings, framing views and creating a close connection between inside and out.
Each lodge incorporates a green roof and natural timber, while native planting around the accommodation and water’s edge supports biodiversity and helps establish the character of the wider savannah-inspired landscape.
The welcome building achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating, reflecting an approach that considered environmental performance alongside the guest experience.
“Our clients were not just the guests, but also the animals, making this project all the more interesting and rewarding.”
Martin Kirkpatrick, Director, Buttress
Revenue generated through stays at The Reserve directly supports Chester Zoo’s conservation work, connecting the hospitality experience with the zoo’s wider mission to protect species and restore nature.
Heart of Africa
Six years in the making, Heart of Africa is Chester Zoo’s largest and most ambitious development to date, creating an immersive landscape inspired by the habitats of the African continent and the zoo’s conservation work within them.
Our work included the design of a new building overlooking the African savannah habitat, conceived as a place where learning, interaction and experience come together.
The building gives visitors a front-row view across a shared habitat for species including giraffes, zebras, antelope and ostriches. Flexible learning spaces also allow the building to support different audiences, from school groups to conservation and industry professionals.
“It’s been many years in the making, from the initial ideas we developed during Covid to the project’s completion in 2025. This is a game-changer for both the zoo and the hospitality industry, and we are proud to have played a part in creating an experience for guests to enjoy.
The buildings truly open up to the surrounding landscape, and the lodges offer an incredible opportunity for guests to view and interact with the giraffes. Our clients were not just the guests, but also the animals, making this project all the more interesting and rewarding.
It’s been a unique project to be involved in, and we are grateful to support the zoo in enhancing the innovative work it does for conservation.”
Martin Kirkpatrick, Director, Buttress
Martin Kirkpatrick
Martin is an experienced architect who has successfully delivered projects across a broad range of sectors, most recently specialising in hotels, multi-residential, mixed-use, and masterplanning work.
Andy Balmer
Andy is an Associate Architect with fifteen years of experience working across a wide range of sectors, including commercial office, residential and hotels.
Jonny Edwards
Jonny works within our commercial and residential teams, bringing his experience in a range of higher education, industrial and healthcare schemes.
During his time at university, Jonny won the 3D Reid student prize and was shortlisted for the Architects' Journal sustainability prize.
James Lewis
James is an experienced Architect with a range of commercial experience including significant workplace and residential schemes.
David Parkinson
David is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with over twenty years of experience who works within our arts, culture and heritage team.