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Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is an 82-acre zoological park in the Scottish capital which lies on the south facing slopes of Corstorphine Hill, from which it provides extensive views of the city. Edinburgh Zoo was the first zoo in the world to house and to breed penguins and it is also the only zoo in Britain to house koalas and giant pandas, which are some of the main reasons why so many people visit the park each year.

The brief

The zoo attracts over 600,000 visitors a year, which makes it Scotland's second most popular paid-for tourist attraction, after Edinburgh Castle. As the park is so large, many families take their children and spend the entire day at the zoo to see the animals, so all these people need somewhere to eat during their expedition!

What we did

442 Design worked in conjunction with Dams to specify furniture from the Otto collection of canteen-style benches, high stools and tables. Otto furniture offers an attractive and extremely practical solution for any demanding environment, with a versatile dining experience to enhance any dining area, providing provision for stand-up snacking, or stylish relaxation with tables and upholstered bench seating.

The results

Vibrant colours are used throughout the restaurant, contrasting with neutral laminates. Separate dining zones break up the space with rows of dining seating alongside poseur tables and matching high benches. The cafe is brightly lit with large multi-coloured pendant lights and bold coloured graphics on the walls featuring animal prints and natural foliage to create a fresh, lively interior.

Experiencing the wonderful sights, sounds, feelings and smells on a trip to Edinburgh Zoo is sure to make you work up an appetite, so now visitors can grab a bite to eat in the main café where you'll find lots of different food choices to suit everyone, with a light, bright restaurant and lots of seating designed to help you refresh, relax and re-energise your visit.

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