Michael Graetz

B.Arch, M.Arch

Zoological Exhibit Designer and Architect.

Michael Graetz spent nearly 20 years with Singapore Zoo as an exhibit designer. Now an independent consultant, he maintains an association with the institution that enabled him to develop such a unique and exciting career. Starting as the zoo's second resident architect, he became a Director in 2000, heading the Creative Design Team (CDT).

More than 100 million dollars has gone into developments by Singapore Zoological Gardens (including the Night Safari) and Mike oversaw around three quarters of that investment. As the pace of development increased through the 1990s, addtional designers were engaged and Mike became the head of the Creative Design Team.

Mike launched Design For Life in 2004

His work in Singapore Zoo has made Mike one of the most experienced Zoo Designers in the world. Almost unique among this fraternity, he combines specialised design skills with a special insight into the inner workings and zoological and operational needs of a successful zoological gardens. Singapore is famous for having the world's first zoological park dedicated to nocturnal wildlife and open only at night - the Night Safari. Mike was a key member of the team that developed the Night Safari concept. Among other major projects Mike handled are Fragile Forest, the award-winning Hamadryas Baboon – The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, and Elephants of Asia. These developments contributed to the string of awards received by the Zoo and Night Safari throughout this period.

Singapore Zoo was conceived in the early 1970s as the 'Open Zoo' to reflect a conscious break with the traditional zoo with cages and indoor displays. By the late 1990s, this idea was so well accepted among world zoos that it no longer set Singapore apart. The major projects were part of a process aimed at modernising the Zoo, reinventing it as a unique tourist attraction and maintaining its place at the 'cutting edge' of zoo design.

Key to this was the master re-development plan produced in the late 1990s under the banner, ‘Journeys to Wild Places’. Mike helped organise a series of creative design workshops to kick start the projects outlined in the Plan. This method of planning and design proved a fast and effective methodology that spurs creativity and innovation.

Over the years of Mike’s tenure, Singapore Zoo became sought after for its design expertise and consultancy became an increasing activity. as a consultant to other zoos and developers of wildlife parks and attractions. This is due not least to the participation of Mike as designer, coordinator and team leader. He has worked on projects throughout Asia – in Indonesia, China, India, Cambodia, Seychelles and U.A.E.

Mike obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of South Australia in 1982. In 1995 he was awarded a Master of Architecture degree by dissertation from the National University of Singapore on zoo exhibit design and its role in the social objectives of a zoological gardens.

On joining Singapore Zoo in 1984, he held the post of Architect and became first Head of the CDT and in 2000 a Director of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the company formed when the Zoo merged with Jurong Bird Park. He has participated in ongoing staff training programmes of WRS; introducing keepers to the principles of exhibit design, and organised design workshops for SEAZA, the South East Asia Zoo Association.

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