Fort Worth Zoo Texas Wild Renovation
Fort Worth, Texas
Expertise
- Commercial
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
- electrical engineering
Size
- 7,000 SF
BHB delivered MEP engineering services for the comprehensive remodel of the Mountains and Desert exhibit in the Texas Wild section of the Fort Worth Zoo. This 7,000-square-foot facility showcases over 30 native Texas reptiles and amphibians, including 14 newly introduced species. The space features a video display learning area and hosts the Texas Nature Traders program, an interactive educational initiative that encourages children to explore the outdoors, discover fossils, rocks, bones, plants, and other artifacts, and earn rewards for their findings.
BHB’s mechanical team worked closely with zoo staff to tailor temperature and humidity controls to the specific needs of each species. The ductwork design was precisely aligned with ceiling plans to accommodate the open ceilings in both the learning and display areas. For the water exhibit, additional calculations were performed to manage space temperature, humidity, and water temperature, ensuring optimal conditions for the animals.
BHB also partnered with zoo staff to implement efficient water filtration and drainage systems. The facility utilizes both city and well water to meet its diverse programming needs.
The team coordinated closely with a specialized zoo lighting vendor and zoo staff to design exhibit lighting that supports the animals’ environments while enhancing visibility for visitors. The lighting design included comprehensive calculations for public areas and control systems to meet energy code requirements and specific facility needs.
To accommodate the increased loads from the building’s revised use, BHB expanded the electrical distribution and carefully arranged the electrical equipment to maximize space efficiency. The power design featured detailed receptacle layouts for keeper areas, including timed controls for the exhibits and animal housing areas.
Key People
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Richard J. Watters, PE
Richard J. Watters, PE
Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Richard Watters came to BHB after working with a design-build contractor in the area for two years. As an active member of BHB’s leadership team, Richard manages some of the firm’s multiple long-term engineering projects, including healthcare, commercial, oil and gas, retail, and municipal. He is experienced in sustainable design, energy studies/audits, design-build, hospitality, data centers, critical environments, medical gas systems, and construction administration.
Richard has been named one of the Top 40 Engineers Under 40 in the country by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine and one of the Top 20 Engineers Under 40 in our region by Engineer News-Record magazine.
In the office, his hands-on style has helped him successfully find solutions for clients and mentor young engineers. Outside of the office, Richard has been past president of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE and has been active with various student organizations as a guest speaker or project sponsor; he also travels back to Texas A&M to guest lecture and has sponsored projects for the construction science department at Texas A&M.
With his wife Yesenia, he enjoys being outside with their kids, traveling, working on multiple home improvement projects, and helping others. They have sponsored scholarships for children in El Salvador, his wife’s native country, who would otherwise not have access to advanced education. In addition to these, they also have four annual scholarships locally at TCU and UNT. Expanding on this desire to provide resources and forward momentum for everyone, Richard is also a founding board member of the Paul Schulte Foundation, a non-profit organization with a goal to empower, inspire, and facilitate individuals with disabilities.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Star-Telegram Building
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center
Education
Texas A&M University:
Master’s Degree/2001/Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas at El Paso:
Bachelor’s Degree/1997/Mechanical Engineering -
Paul Morris, PE
Paul Morris, PE
Associate | Electrical Engineer
In the early years of his life, Paul went through several intense experiences at the hands of nature: a severe thunderstorm in his hometown, a significant blizzard while in Virginia in second grade, an EF-4 tornado direct hit to his college dormitory, and a large typhoon while in South Korea where his family lived for eight years. These close calls led to an interest in meteorology—that is, until his Sunday school teacher shared with him about his career as an engineer. As he learned more about the profession, he felt it would be a good fit (he’s always enjoyed math and building things), and the rest is history.
Paul began working at BHB in 2013 as a graduate electrical engineer and works on many of the firm’s municipal, commercial, multifamily, and hospitality projects. He is part of the core team here at BHB working to implement data-driven power systems such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) and other technologies such as fault-managed power systems and DC power system integration.
Outside of work, Paul was recently married and enjoys spending time with his wife being active in their church and exploring cooking, making ice cream and participating in all sorts of adventures. Paul also enjoys playing outdoor sports or indoor board/card games with friends, drinking coffee, watching movies, and reading books. When given the chance, he loves escaping to Colorado to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the mountains and beautiful scenery. Paul recently got to hike a “14er” (fourteen thousand foot mountain peak) in Colorado with his wife and family which was one of the most challenging physical undertakings he has been through.
Education
Union University:
Bachelor’s Degree/2011/Electrical Engineering