Lincoln Park Zoo

If you want to know where the wild things are in Chicago, look no further than the Lincoln Park Zoo. And while you're there, check out Wild Things, the animal kingdom's new retail concept.

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based AAD was challenged with designing a gift store that would complement the overall zoo experience and provide a learning experience for children. For starters, the whimsical proportions and bold graphics on the store's exterior entice visitors to have fun and explore.

Natural colors and materials are used to create four zones symbolizing wildlife habitats: Polar Coast, Amazon Rainforest, African Savannah and Australian Outback. Varying tile patterns — such as train tracks, tire tracks and water — show the different modes of transportation used in the four zones. Graphics elements and thematic props support the look and feel.

In the Polar zone, for example, a boat merchandisor features a deck where kids can read books and look through portholes. An iceberg stage is used for reading and other activities. The flooring — small, blue, glass tiles — even evokes water imagery.

Tile train tracks wind through the Rainforest and Outback, eventually leading to a train display in the African Savannah. This area is marked by dark burgundy, gold and olive colors, characteristic of the African landscape. The “desert” flooring is actually a series of tiles that resemble sand dotted with the paw prints of wild animals.

Client: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago — Jessica Kubow, director of retail operations Design: AAD, Scottsdale, Ariz. — Michael Steveson, president; Carl Schaffer, vp; Tim Pleger, studio director; Jennifer Little, design director; Debby Fischer, development team Architects: Valerio Dewalt Train, Chicago; AAD, Scottsdale, Ariz. General Contractor: @slbody;Turner Construction, Chicago Suppliers: VSG Interiors, Gilbert, Ariz. (ceiling); S. Harris & Co., Los Angeles (fabrics); Form Corp., Pleasant Prairie, Wis. (fixturing); Tile West, Phoenix, Patcraft Carpet, Dalton, Ga., Blue Ridge Carpet, Ellijay, Fla. (flooring); Proto Productions, Addison, Ill., AAD, Scottsdale, Ariz. (graphics); Juno Lighting, Des Plaines, Ill. (lighting); Formica Corp., Cincinnati, Piorite, Pamona, Calif., Nevamar, Odenton, Md., Louis & Co., Phoenix, Wilsonart, Temple, Texas, Lamin-Art Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., Arpa, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (laminates); Mimco Products, Anaheim, Calif., Nature's Partner, Phoenix (props/decoratives); Proto Productions, Addison, Ill. (signage); Brewster Wallcovering Co, Randolph, Mass. (wallcoverings) Photography: Michael Norton, Norton Photography, Phoenix