COST, Inc.

Throwback Thursday!! As promised, this week we are throwing back to Phase 4 of the AFRICA project, completed in 2014, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Ohio. This phase of the project added more homes for African species, like the lesser kudu, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, ostrich and the Africa Painted Dog, just to name a few. Again, COST constructed Kopje rockwork throughout each habitat, creating realistic mudbank walls, retaining walls, moat walls and free-standing rock formations. Specifically for the mob of meerkats, COST installed an underground tunnel, leading zoo guests to a clear dome, giving you a ground-level view of their burrow. A few faux termite mounds were fabricated and placed throughout, giving their home a personal touch. Just like Phase 3, compared to when it first opened, there is now an abundance of more animals who call this award-winning zoo home. #costofwisconsin #costinc #tbt #tbthursday #throwback #ThrowbackThursday #zoos #africanwildlife #gazelle #Ostrich #meerkat #faux #realistic #serengeti #cincinnati #2014memories #habits #impalas

Throwback Thursday!! More than a decade ago, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden broke ground on a massive multi-phase project: AFRICA. The goal of this new habitat brings the natural elements and diverse species of the Serengeti to your doorstep. Each new space is what’s not only best for the animals but also gives guests multiple angles to gaze upon and admire. This week’s TBT post takes you on a tour of COST’s involvement with Phase 3, sprawling habitats for lions, cheetahs and other African species. The naturalistic Kopje rockwork done by our field crew created retaining walls and streams throughout their homes and in the viewing areas. This phase was finished for the June 2013 opening. Since then, the naturalistic elements have remained, and the population continues to grow. Next week we will explore Phase 4. #costofwisconsin #costinc #construction #throwback #ThrowbackThursday #tbt #tbthursday #cincinnati #cincinnatiohio #zoos #lions #cheetah #habitat #kopje

Throwback Thursday!! IL-47 commuters have been passing this week's TBT project in Huntley, Illinois since 1999. Our work can be seen at the entrance to Del Webb Blvd. and further into the vibrant Del Webb's Sun City Huntley community. Field crew applied shotcrete throughout the grounds before placing natural stone. This resulted in several sizable ponds, a tranquil stream, cascading weir and beautiful water features. COST takes great pride in our long-lasting, high-quality projects. #costofwisconsin #costinc #construction #laborer #huntleyil #waterfeature #rockwork #shotcrete #naturalstone #DelWebb #DelWebbHomes #naturalistic

Throwback Thursday!! Early 2019, was the grand opening for Soboba Casino Resort, located in San Jacinto, California. Dazzling at the center of their casino floor stands a 25-foot tree, which branches out 17 feet. Fabrication of this statement piece began in our COST shop with a structural steel base with fiberglass overlay. Our artisans then gave the tree a custom texture and gold color finish. Once on site and assembled, a few hundred individual sting of beads were hung from the ceiling, completing the chandelier aesthetic. For even more information on this throwback project, visit this link - https://lnkd.in/g4TvXd_D #costofwisconsin #costinc #tbt #tbthursday #casino #chandalier #goldtree #sanjacinto #statementpiece #custom #custommade #customersatisfaction

Throwback Thursday!! Welcome back to incredible happenings inside the Audubon Zoo's Asian Domain exhibit in New Orleans, Louisiana. This week’s tbt project is filling you in on which species moved into the elephant’s old habitat. In late 2015, a few Sumatran Orangutans did. This space is three times the size of their previous home. Before move-in day, COST added shotcrete rockwork, consisting of a moat and waterfall. The orangutans home also has numerous climbing structures, rising up to 40 feet tall. From the top, they get a panoramic view of the zoo and can see all the way to the Mississippi River. #costofwisconsin #costinc #tbt #zoo #renovation #renovationproject #sumatranorangutan #audubonzoo #rockwork #newhome #exhibit #habitat #shotcrete

Throwback Thursday!! Understanding the importance of keeping an animal's body and mind active inspired New Orleans' Audubon Zoo to design and build an entirely new habitat for their Asian Elephants. The habitat's square footage was dramatically increased, giving these gentle giants more room to roam and keepers more space to spread out food. COST had their part in enhancing this new home, fabricating and installing an enrichment foraging log, a splash pool, a waterfall and rockwork throughout. The doors to this new home opened in spring 2016. Since opening, two more elephants, Jothi and Surapa, have also made this space their home. Stay tuned to find who moved into the elephant’s habitat… #costofwisconsin #costinc #tbt #tbthursday #audubon #audubonzoo #neworleans #neworleanslife #Louisiana #elephant #elephantlove #elephantlovers #habitat #zoo #StayActive

Throwback Thursday!! With the first day of winter approaching, we jumped on featuring an animal who easily blends in with New York’s cold wintery weather. The Central Park Zoo's Snow Leopards. Early 2009 completion marked the first ever snow leopard habitat in Manhattan, and the zoo’s first permanent habitat in almost two decades. Throughout the new 10,000 square foot space, our COST team integrated rugged faux rockwork, which we artistically textured and theme painted to blend in with the natural rock ridges. Then we fabricated faux bark to wrap around existing enrichment structures and sunshade poles. Today, there are three snow leopards at the Central Park Zoo, which are also on the endangered species list. Your visit to the zoo supports the Wildlife Conservation Society's efforts to protect endangered species like the snow leopard. #costofwisconsin #costinc #firstdayofwinter #newyork #newyorkcity #manhattan #centralparkzoo #zoo #snowleopard #habitat #enrichment #wildlifeconservation #visitthezoo #faux #fauxrook #construction #constructionindustry #constructionsite

Milwaukee County Zoo Humboldt Penguin Habitat Renovation is Complete! For over three decades, the Milwaukee County Zoo's Humboldt penguins have welcomed every visitor with a tailfeather shake, a flipper flap or an ecstatic call of ‘hello!’ Last week Wednesday, our feathered friends waddled into their newly renovated and upgraded home, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. COST had a hand in a few updates to Penguins of the Pacific habitat. We expanded their pool to now holding 30,000 gallons of water for even more zoomies, added larger viewing windows, a swim-through tunnel, new rockwork and a complete theme paint job. Final detailing included numerous types of faux marine life covering the under-water rockwork. From the groundbreaking ceremony to the ribbon cutting, COST is proud to have been part of this home revamp project. Hurry over to the zoo to check out their new digs. #costofwisconsin #costinc #milwaukee #milwaukeezoo #zoo #MilwaukeeCounty #milwaukeecountyzoo #penguin #Updated #zoomies #rockwork #habitat #homesweethome #homesweethome2024 #penguinlove #ceremony

Throwback Thursday!! We are rounding the corner at two decades since this week’s Throwback Thursday project was completed, at the Gold Country Casino Resort, located in Oroville, California. In January 2005, COST recreated and installed oversized Tyme Maidu Tribal baskets, bringing their heritage to the casino interior. Accenting several of the tribal baskets are glowing translucent spirit clouds. To achieve the correct texturing and shape, all of the fiberglass pieces were cast from molds created using a variety of materials and then hand painted. Flowing through another area of the casino, we constructed a water feature. #costofwisconsin #costinc #tbt #tbthursday #casino #tribal #fiberglass #moldmaking #waterfeatures #heritage #recreate #decades

The Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is officially reopened after undergoing an astounding restoration and rejuvenation. The new owners of this historic south Florida landmark envisioned keeping that vibrant Polynesian flair alive. As one of many involved in this project, COST took on fabricating and installing multiple themed pieces. Starting with an entrance centerpiece, we replicated a 20-foot-tall Caldera, complete with show lights to create a glowing volcano 🌋 effect, and a water mechanical system to simulate lava bubbles. The second water feature is near the outdoor bar. And when ordering a signature Mai Tai, guests will also see we accented parts of the bar with volcanic boulders. All our theme work was made of carbon reinforcing steel, and a shotcrete overlay that has been hand-carved, textured, and painted. To learn more about our water feature fabrication process: https://lnkd.in/eFbhXMnd #costofwisconsin #costinc #fortlauderdale #florida #maikai #restaurant #restaurantdesign #restoration #caldera #volcano #redesign #LAVA #theme #polynesian