Leigh + O’Kane provided structural engineering services for the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, one of the largest and most technically complex projects undertaken by the zoo to date. The facility required highly specialized structural solutions to support large-scale aquatic environments and advanced life-support systems.

A key feature of the project included the design of a structural system supporting a 650,000-gallon elevated saltwater habitat, requiring a two-foot-thick reinforced concrete slab engineered to manage substantial loads while maintaining long-term durability in a demanding marine environment. The project also incorporated structural coordination for a gravity-fed filtration system designed to significantly reduce operational energy use.

Successful delivery of the aquarium required close collaboration with the project team to integrate structural systems with architectural design, aquatic life-support infrastructure, and complex building systems.

This project highlights Leigh + O’Kane’s expertise in delivering structural engineering solutions for highly specialized environments where precision, durability, and interdisciplinary coordination are critical to project success