Houston Zoo - Jack's Cafe

Mass Timber – A Natural Fit for the Houston Zoo

The Houston’s Zoo’s Jack’s Café, part of its Galapagos Islands exhibit, features the innovative use of mass timber construction. This choice reflects the zoo’s commitment to sustainability and its mission to reduce environmental impact. Jack’s Café is the final phase of the Zoo’s Centennial Plan, a two-story 10,125 square foot mass timber structure that emphasizes sustainable materials, and integrates energy-efficient features. The structure will be made primarily of sustainably harvested mass timber, a material with a lower overall carbon footprint when compared to concrete or steel.

Central to this effort is the use of Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam, that not only reduce the environmental footprint of construction but also align with the zoo’s broader mission of conservation and sustainability. Key to this initiative was the selection of Kalesnikoff for coordinated mass timber supply to support the project’s success.

​​​The building itself is targeting LEED Gold and 4-Star Green Restaurant Certification. This project combines reclaimed structures and natural materials, enhancing visitor engagement with wildlife conservation in Texas Wetlands and other exhibits. By incorporating mass timber the Houston Zoo demonstrates leadership by blending innovative construction with its broader goals of sustainability and education.