Crafting Authentic Habitats: Endureed’s Role in the Cincinnati and Nashville Zoo Transformations
Design Vision
Every great design begins with listening. For architect Dean Violetta, the key to crafting immersive, authentic habitats lies in collaboration. His design philosophy is deeply people- and purpose-driven, ensuring every element serves both the animals and the guests who experience the space.
“The design is entirely relative to the people. I listen to the animal, horticulture, and visitor engagement departments to flesh out everyone’s wants and needs. It’s the architect’s job to balance all of those—to make sure you get an excellent product in the end.”
This holistic, human-centered approach shaped both the Cincinnati Zoo and Nashville Zoo projects—each aiming to create environments that inspire visitors while prioritizing animal well-being and operational practicality.
Location: Cincinnati, OH / Nashville, TN
Architect / Designer: Dean Violetta / Rick Schwartz
Builder / Installer: Solomon Builders / Abrams’ father’s company (Nashville installation)
Products Used: Capetown, Kilimanjaro
Collection: Premium
Challenges
Sourcing and Availability of Natural Materials
At the Nashville Zoo, inconsistent delivery schedules for imported natural thatch created ongoing project delays. Violetta described the issue as “the big one”—an unpredictable variable that complicated both construction timelines and maintenance planning.
Animal Well-Being
Another critical consideration was ensuring that no materials used in the habitats would pose harm to the animals. The project required a product that was durable, non-toxic, and environmentally stable under zoo conditions.
The Solution
Reliable Material Sourcing
Endureed’s Engineered Thatch™ provided a domestic, consistent, and durable solution to replace natural thatch. By eliminating the unpredictability of overseas shipping, Endureed simplified logistics and ensured dependable delivery timelines.
“Endureed made things easier and a lot less unpredictable when it came to shipping, delivery timeliness, and so on,” Violetta said.
Animal-Friendly Design
Endureed’s synthetic thatch met the zoo’s safety requirements, providing a non-toxic, fire-retardant, and structurally sound roofing option.
“I enjoy how Endureed’s product is animal-friendly,” Violetta noted. “It poses no harm to the animals, and the fire-retardancy adds another level of safety.”
Aesthetic Authenticity
The design team selected Capetown (Cincinnati) and Kilimanjaro (Nashville) collections for their cultural and visual authenticity.
The Capetown finish, used on the Cincinnati Zoo’s merry-go-round, beautifully replicates the warm yellow palm thatch found across Africa.
Each product was chosen to reflect architectural themes connecting to both African and European influences.
Violetta was particularly impressed by the realism:
“It looked incredibly natural. I thought earlier versions of synthetic thatch looked fake, but Endureed’s product made me appreciate how close it feels to natural reeds.”
Collaboration & Installation
Installed by Solomon Builders and our founder Abram Huber’s father’s company in Nashville, the thatch was applied using a closed-deck installation method. Collaboration between Endureed’s design consultants and the project teams ensured seamless integration across all structures.
Results / Impact
The results speak for themselves: authentic aesthetics, improved reliability, and long-term durability that exceeded expectations.
“I would 100% recommend Endureed. Everything they promised—from the authentic look and durability to the fire resistance and reliability—has been delivered. On projects like both the Cincinnati and Nashville Zoo, the thatch looked so real you’d never know it wasn’t natural. Our facilities team has been happy, our architects have been happy, and I’ve been very impressed. Endureed is a product and a partner I can fully endorse.”
