When visitors walk through the new Giraffe Crossing habitat at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, their attention is naturally drawn to the stars of the show—the giraffes.
What they don’t see are the countless building systems working behind the scenes to keep the facility operating safely, efficiently, and comfortably for both animals and guests.
Entegrity recently provided commissioning services for the new Giraffe Crossing project, a roughly 16,000-square-foot giraffe barn and habitat designed to improve animal care while creating a more immersive visitor experience.
The facility allows guests to enjoy year-round giraffe viewing, indoor and outdoor feeding opportunities, and close-up encounters with the animals. For the giraffes themselves, the new habitat eliminates the need to travel approximately a quarter mile between their outdoor habitat and nighttime barn, reducing stress while giving them greater flexibility to move between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Commissioning Beyond Code Compliance
Entegrity’s role focused on commissioning requirements established under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which Kansas City has adopted.
That work included air barrier verification as well as functional performance testing of the facility’s mechanical, domestic hot water, and lighting control systems.
“IECC commissioning requirements protect an owner’s investment by verifying that the building is actually built and operating the way it was designed,” said Kelsea Lowery, Commissioning Specialist at Entegrity. “The goal is not just code compliance. It’s reducing long-term operating costs, avoiding hidden defects, and improving occupant comfort from day one.”
The Air Barrier Challenge
One of the more unique aspects of the project involved the building’s air barrier system.
According to Lowery, the giraffe barn included an interior air barrier assembly that had to connect seamlessly with the exterior air barrier of the adjoining dining space.
Ensuring those assemblies properly overlapped required significant coordination among the architect, general contractor, and installation teams.
Air barriers play an important role in controlling unwanted air movement through a building envelope. When properly installed, they help improve energy efficiency, maintain indoor comfort, and support long-term building performance.
Testing the Systems Behind the Scenes
As part of functional performance testing, Entegrity verified the operation of numerous building systems, including:
- Exhaust fans
- Destratification fans
- Split-system HVAC equipment
- Makeup air units
- Radiant heaters
- Unit heaters
- Interior and exterior lighting controls
- Domestic hot water systems
While most visitors come to see the giraffes, maintaining a healthy indoor environment depends on a complex network of equipment and controls operating in the background.
“We tested the automated systems that regulate temperature and airflow to make sure the environment stays stable and healthy for the animals in all seasons,” said Lowery.
Learn more about our commissioning services.
A Different Kind of Occupancy
Commissioning projects often require coordination around construction schedules and owner occupancy. This project introduced another consideration: the giraffes themselves.
“We had to wait for the giraffes to acclimate to their new home before we could begin testing,” said Lowery. “We didn’t want to disturb the animals while they were adjusting to the space.”
It’s not a challenge most commissioning teams encounter every day, but it highlights how building performance and animal welfare can intersect on specialty projects like this one.
Supporting Successful Facilities
Whether it’s a school, healthcare facility, office building, or a giraffe habitat, the goal of commissioning remains the same: helping owners ensure their buildings perform as intended.
Projects like Giraffe Crossing remind us that behind every memorable facility is a network of systems that must work together seamlessly—and a team dedicated to making sure they do.
Contact Corey Keen to learn more about our commissioning services.
