Australia-Phase 1

Phase 1 of the Australia project includes two attractions: Australian Shores and the Lorikeets Experience.

Australian Shores

This exhibit invites guests to step through a dramatic cave entrance brought to life with vibrant murals, welcoming sculptural figures, lush landscaping, and layered storytelling delivered through immersive audio and video. Beyond the threshold, the space opens into a breathtaking open-air aviary where little blue penguins and soaring seabirds inhabit the “Saltwater Country” realm.

The environment is sculpted with richly themed rockwork and coastal vegetation, crossed by a new overwater bridge that glides visitors above the habitat. Below the surface, an underwater viewing zone reveals the penguins in motion, creating an intimate, cinematic encounter that surrounds guests with the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Australia’s dynamic marine edge.

Lorikeets Experience

The Lorikeet and Kookaburra exhibit is a vibrant, immersive walkthrough that drops visitors into the heart of a lush “Freshwater Country” forest. Here, guests don nectar cups and hand-feed brilliantly colored lorikeets as they flutter overhead and perch just inches away, while the iconic call of the kookaburra echoes through the canopy.

Meandering, themed pathways wind through sculpted rockwork and dense vegetation, creating the feeling of stepping into a living Australian river corridor. The result is an up-close, sensory-rich encounter that blurs the line between guest and habitat, turning a simple visit into a moment of wonder and connection with these charismatic birds.

Master Plan Concept

Working in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of consultants, we crafted a dynamic master plan spanning 2.6 acres and featuring six immersive exhibits. Together, they form a sweeping experiential journey through Australian “Country” – celebrating its living culture, stories, people, flora, fauna, waterways, and the ancient knowledge written in the night sky.

The site is conceptually layered with the great ecological realms of Australia: Saltwater, Freshwater, and Dryland. Each realm unfolds through its own palette, narrative pathways, and landscape character, brought to life with authentic replica artifacts, sculptural elements, and large-scale murals. Color, texture, and storytelling guide visitors from one environment to the next, creating a rich, sensory experience that invites exploration while honoring the deep connection between land, water, sky, and culture. 

Client: ABQ BioPark

Project design as Principal Architect at Studio Southwest Architects