The
vivarium is approximately 1,315 square feet. Butterflies
are contained within the adult flight area which is
approximately 62 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 13 feet
high. This space is enclosed by a shell structure consisting
of a series of arched panels springing from a carpeted
floor along the west side of the exhibit, and supported
on the opposite side by a row of columns. The north
and south enclosing walls are made of aluminum panels.
Running the length of the vivarium to the east is a
transparent wall made of acrylic panels.
The
arched panels are made of "Kalwall" -- a composite panel
of a grid of aluminum "I" beams with a fiberglass skin
stretched on both sides. Spanning between the panels
is a series of service panels. The service panels accommodate
all lighting, and supply and return air outlets. These
panels are made of a framework of aluminum "C" channels
that are clad with 1/16" aluminum sheet metal. All openings
in these panels are covered with 16x16 stainless steel
mesh as per USDA regulations.
Lighting
is provided by twelve 1000-watt metal halide lamps customized
to focus light down onto the plants. Heat produced by
these fixtures is exhausted off into the return air
system. All openings around the fixtures are completely
enclosed and sealed in stainless steel 16x16 mesh as
per USDA regulations. Throughout the project, all joints
between panels are sealed with a propriety press-in
neoprene gasket. At the junction with the existing terrazzo
floor, the joints are sealed with a bead of sealant.
The supply and return air is fed to the space via galvanized
steel spiral ductwork sitting on top of the structure.
The ductwork feeds air via flex ducts, into plenum boxes
which sit on top of the service panels. The main HVAC
duct runs back to a unit that is located in a room adjacent
to the exhibit. Flooring is a recycled rubber rolled
sheet, which is adhered on to the existing terrazzo
floor with double stick tape, and then completely sealed.
Before entering the vivarium, visitors line up along
a covered passageway. To their right is a series of
illustrated panels that describe butterfly reproduction,
development, defense mechanisms, evolution, and conservation.
To their left they can look into the vivarium through
the transparent acrylic wall. They enter the vivarium
through a vestibule at the north end of the structure.
Both entry and exit vestibules are maintained at lower
light levels than the flight zone to avoid attracting
butterflies. The vestibules also have air curtains mounted
over the interior doors to the flight area. Once inside
the vivarium, visitors walk along a serpentine path
with landscaped with tropical plants to re-create a
rainforest. Landscaping is contained within pots. Throughout
the exhibit, there are information panels about butterflies,
as well as nectar feeding stations. In the center of
the flight area is a self-contained pupa display case
where visitors can observe the pupa emerging. Visitors
exit through the south vestibule, which is lined with
reflective Mylar so that they can check for any possible
hitchhikers.
