October Update / 2026

Structural steel is complete — the Biodome’s steel frame is fully erected, which clears the way for enclosure and interior work to move forward. Finish painting of the structural steel is underway, protecting the frame and giving the space its first coat of finished color.

Artificial rockwork installation is in progress in the interior exhibit spaces. This sculpted shotcrete — typically a steel or wire mesh substrate with rebar, built up with layers of concrete, then hand-carved and finished to mimic real rock texture and color. This is what turns the exhibit into actual habitat terrain such as the caves, ledges, and formations animals and plants will live in. This creates one of the more visible, tangible signs of what the finished space will actually look like.

ETFE roofing installation is underway. ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a lightweight, transparent polymer film, usually installed as inflated “pillow” panels instead of glass. This was selected for the Biodome specifically because it lets through more UV light than glass, which is required for plant growth. The roof portion will be the first phase of this work, with the building façade being installed later in the project.

Overhead MEP rough-in (mechanical, electrical, plumbing above the ceiling line) is ongoing in the animal support and back of house areas.

Concrete footings and masonry work continues inside the Biodome. As more footings and foundations are finished, additional areas for the rockwork contractor to start work will become available and keep work flowing from one exhibit to the next.

The Parking Lot Expansion is on track for completion in time for Winter Wonder Lights and will ease parking congestion once completed.

Upcoming activities on the project include exhibit rockwork, ETFE roofing, metal panel siding, interior painting, and ongoing MEP activities.

For questions or additional information about this project, please contact the project team.