Skink Chalet

Design of a controlled breeding facility for the endangered skinks at Healesville Zoo.

Healesville Sanctuary run many programs for Critically Endangered species, including She-oak and Guthega Skinks which are native to the alpine regions of Victoria. An ambitious project brief was prepared to address the issue of replicating the natural climatic conditions that these reptiles experience in the wild, whilst in an internal controlled environment for breeding purposes.

The key challenge was the insulation and mechanical servicing that would be required to allow this to happen. A secondary and competing factor was the requirement for direct sunlight to all enclosures during warmer season, with full blockout to eliminate disturbance during hibernation.