Supplying temporary structures for a truly unique exhibition

When London Zoo required a secure and fully enclosed temporary space in the lead-up to a one-of-a-kind exhibition, GL events UK’s ability to manage complex builds under tight deadlines, by delivering creative, reliable, and flexible solutions meant that the team were a first choice for event organisers.

GL events UK were contacted by London Zoo during the planning phase of a unique new exhibition they were hosting. 

Tracy Lee, a former zookeeper at London Zoo, collected over 100 preserved specimens from a wide range of creatures, including an endangered gorilla, a giant Galapagos tortoise and even a tiny poo from a caterpillar! The exhibit allowed visitors to discover the science behind scat and explore how droppings can be helpful in understanding animal diets, habitats, and health. 

The event organisers from London Zoo required a bespoke solution that allowed them to house the ‘Poo at the Zoo’ exhibition, which ran over the summer holidays.   

It was important that the structure provided by GL events UK was completely weatherproof in order to protect the exhibits from the wind and rain. The client also required lockable doors to secure the specimens inside the exhibit. 

Another key consideration was displaying the artwork inside the structure. This meant internal walls needed to be installed, allowing the artwork to be displayed for visitors. Plinths supplied to display the exhibits needed to be secured to the floor to avoid them getting knocked over and the exhibit damaged. This meant there was also a requirement for temporary flooring within the structure.

Tony Bonsor, account director at GL events UK, received the enquiry from London Zoo on the 18th of April. As he was currently on-site at another project in London, he reached out to the client and booked a site visit the very same day! 

Following a discussion with the team at London Zoo and a very successful site visit, Tony produced a quote for the client and the project was signed off within just 14 days. 

The site teams from GL events UK installed an 8x15m Premier structure on one of the main lawns at London Zoo. The structure featured roof linings, doors and ramps to ensure the event was fully accessible and could be enjoyed by all. Working closely with subcontractors, wall panelling was installed within the structure to allow the specimens to be displayed throughout the exhibition. Lighting was featured within each panel to illuminate each exhibit. The removable plinths supplied by GL events UK could also be moved within the structure to allow organisers to use the space in different ways. 

By the 17th of May, the structure was fully installed, and all the finishes were completed, ready for the zoo to launch the exhibition. 

The GL events UK team are no strangers to a challenging build. The tight turnaround on this project meant careful planning and organisation had to be in place to allow everything to run smoothly. From the client placing their order to delivery of the structure, the build was completed within less than a month, thanks to the quick response and project coordination from Tony and his team. 

The quick turnaround and professional execution by GL events UK allowed London Zoo to confidently launch this unique exhibit, demonstrating the zoo’s commitment to offering educational and fun experiences for all ages. The bespoke design provided by GL events UK played a pivotal role in the success of the 'Poo at the Zoo' exhibition, helping London Zoo meet its goals of both educating and engaging its visitors. The secure, weatherproof design protected the valuable specimens from the unpredictable British weather, ensuring that the display stayed in perfect condition, allowing visitors to learn about their favourite animals through an innovative and entertaining approach.