Teton Trek at Memphis Zoo
$14,000,000 | November 2009
The latest exhibit at the Memphis Zoo, Teton Trek, opened in the fall of 2009. With a construction cost of $14 million, this project was funded as a gift from the Fred Smith family and dedicated to his daughter. It is designed as a scaled-down version of Yellowstone National Park in the Grand Teton Mountains and features three different animals native to the area.

Challenges for the engineers started with the design of the “Old Faithful” geyser water feature located at the main entrance to the exhibit. Re-circulated, treated and filtered water is stored in an underground tank and pumped to multiple geyser heads by utilizing variable-speed drives on the pumps. The feature is programmed to start slow to warn but not startle visitors as they approach the exhibit from the Zoo’s primary path. Then powerful pumps ramp up the water flow quickly to simulate the erupting “geyser” effect. The flow is programmable through the entire cycle including managing the height, strength and frequency of the eruption. Wind sensors were installed to switch the pumps to a lower flow rate so that spectators don’t get unexpectedly sprayed during high wind conditions.

The Great Lodge also presented several engineering challenges. Not practical to build with wood timbers, the Teton Trek Lodge mimicked the architectural style of the Yellow Stone Lodge heavy timber construction but is framed with structural steel meeting the latest seismic standards. While constructed of non-combustible materials, the architectural exposed timbers reflect the original lodge construction but disguise the fire protection and modern HVAC systems. The mechanical system solved an air stratification problem by combining the delivery of heated air through slab heated duct coils with a hydronic system. The warm floor keeps winter visitors comfortable without blasting them with hot air which would then rise quickly to the vaulted roof.

SSR Ellers combined Civil, Structural, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Electrical and HVAC engineering services, and Instrumentation & Controls to create these innovative and successful solutions within the exhibit.