Project Chimps

This project involved collaborating with Project Chimps, a nonprofit organization and sanctuary dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating chimpanzees that were previously used in research or subjected to abuse. Our class visited the organization’s property to gain a deeper understanding of its mission, operations, and long-term goals. The visit allowed us to identify key site issues and develop design strategies to address them.

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In partnership with our professor, Project Chimps organized a design competition in which teams of four were randomly assigned and tasked with creating a new garden and entry plaza for the organization’s campus. My team approached the challenge from a realistic and functional perspective—focusing on creating a design that was both visually appealing and practical to construct using affordable materials. This approach ensured that volunteers could assist with the build, helping to minimize costs for the nonprofit.

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Our final design featured a multi-use gathering space that included garden beds for growing food for the chimps, a wishing fountain, a children’s play area, and an amphitheater for educational programs and leisure viewing. We also designed a thoughtful circulation network to accommodate a range of operational needs. Our team ultimately won the competition, and we continue to check in with Project Chimps as they work toward constructing the design.