When you're building an outdoor space for multi-ton wildlife, standard landscaping rules don't apply. As part of a major overhaul to the African section at the Houston Zoo, we had the opportunity to upgrade the rhino exhibit with our longtime partners at O'Donnell Snider Construction and landscape architects SHR Studios.

Our work was all about creating a durable, naturalistic environment that could handle the daily routine of the rhinos. Since these animals are heavy and like to graze, plant selection had to be extremely intentional. We installed a dozen massive 200-gallon trees along with native, resilient grasses like gamma grass, side oats, and wild rye that could withstand both browsing and trampling.

Underfoot, the scope was just as substantial. We imported nearly 500 cubic yards of specialized habitat and amended habitat substrate, roughly 50 dump trucks worth of engineered soil designed to hold up under constant wear while keeping the animals safe. To keep the habitat functioning smoothly behind the scenes, we also upgraded the existing irrigation setup and installed a sub-drainage network for water management.

For the human visitors, we added flagstone pavers, gravel walkways, and new site furnishings including benches and waste receptacles around the exhibit perimeter. Working in a high-visibility environment while coordinating alongside other trades takes careful planning, but our team wrapped up the installation seamlessly over four months. We're proud to have helped refresh one of the Houston Zoo's premier animal habitats for both the resident rhinos and millions of annual guests to enjoy.

• Landscape Architect: SHR Studios (Studio Hansen Roberts)
• General Contractor: O'Donnell Snider Construction
• Project Manager: Stewart Mobley, Stephanie Gheorghe