Turtle Back Zoo Animal Wellness Center Facade Engineering

McLaren, in collaboration with BAMCO, designed the structural facade for the new 11,000 square foot animal wellness center at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ. Situated on 20 acres in the South Mountain Reservation, Turtle Back Zoo is part of the South Mountain Recreation Complex, which is managed as part of the Essex County Park System, the oldest county park system in the United States.

Turtle Back Zoo Animal Center Facade

Opened in 2025, the Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center serves as the primary hub for zoo operations, encompassing animal care, medical procedures, and treatment. Inspired by the natural surroundings of the Turtle Back Zoo, the veterinary hospital features facade elements such as canopy structures, tree and animal-themed panels, and vertical slatted walls.