Horner Commercial Helps Bring Penguins To Providence

Horner Commercial Helps Bring Penguins To Providence

Visitors to Roger Williams Park Zoo can now watch a lively colony of Humboldt penguins diving, swimming, and waddling along the rocky edges of the new Penguin Point Exhibit. Years in the making, this habitat marks an exciting new chapter for the zoo and offers guests a rare chance to see these warm-climate penguins up close. Native to the hot, arid coastal regions of Chile and Peru, Humboldt penguins are a unique addition to the zoo’s animal family. Behind the scenes, Horner Commercial played an important role in supporting the success of the project by supplying doors and hardware built to perform in this specialized environment.

Humboldt penguin swimming in turquoise water at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Penguin Point Exhibit.

The project transformed the zoo’s former seal and sea lion habitat into a state-of-the-art home for twelve Humboldt penguins. Designed by LDL Studio and built by Bentley Companies, the new habitat includes an expansive outdoor exhibit area, a behind-the-scenes care facility for the birds, and a large underwater viewing area where visitors can watch the penguins glide gracefully through the water.

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Ceco hollow metal door with Von Duprin panic hardware and a frosted window graphic of a penguin. Installed by Horner Commercial as part of a corrosion-resistant Assa Abloy door and hardware package.

Behind the Build

Horner Commercial Sales Representative Alan Carmone led Horner’s involvement on the project, supplying the complete door and hardware package, a detail that may go unnoticed by guests but is essential to the safety and function of the space. The team provided Ceco hollow metal doors and frames, Sargent closers, and Pemko thresholds and weatherstripping from ASSA ABLOY, paired with Allegion hardware including Schlage cylindrical levers and Von Duprin exit devices.

“It was a fun project to be a part of,” said Alan Carmone. “We coordinated closely with the builder to make sure every opening was right, including a few unusual sizes in the mechanical rooms. The environment called for a little extra attention to detail.”

Commercial utility room at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Penguin Point Exhibit featuring a Ceco hollow metal door with Schlage Latitude lever hardware in Flat Black finish, supplied by Horner Commercial. Stainless steel sink, epoxy flooring, and industrial storage racks support the zoo’s behind-the-scenes maintenance area.

Built to Withstand the Elements

Because the penguin habitat is naturally moist, Alan and the design team made the strategic decision to use A60 galvanized hollow metal doors on the interior. This material is typically reserved for exterior use but was ideal for preventing rust and corrosion in this setting. The hardware, finished in a sleek Flat Black (622) with Latitude levers, supported the architects’ vision while meeting strict fire-rating requirements for safety.

Interior corridor at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Penguin Point Exhibit showing a labeled “Penguin Holding” room door installed by Horner Commercial. Features Ceco hollow metal doors and Schlage hardware in Flat Black finish, part of the Assa Abloy door and hardware package designed for durability in a moist environment.

The result is a space built for longevity, combining durability, precision, and thoughtful design. For Horner Commercial, it was another opportunity to demonstrate the expertise and collaboration that define their work while contributing to a community project that families across New England will enjoy for generations.

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Outdoor exhibit area at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Penguin Point habitat showing Humboldt penguins near a black Ceco hollow metal service door installed by Horner Commercial. The design ensures durability in Rhode Island’s climate and safety for zoo staff and animals.

Thank You

Horner Commercial extends a special thank-you to Bentley Companies and Roger Williams Zoo for choosing Horner for this unique and memorable project.

BUILDER:
Bentley Companies
Warwick, RI

ARCHITECT:
LDL Studio
Providence, RI

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Design Imaging Studios
East Providence, RI

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Exterior service entrance to the Penguin Point care facility at Roger Williams Park Zoo with a black-finished Ceco hollow metal door and penguin-shaped frosted window graphic. Horner Commercial supplied corrosion-resistant doors and hardware for the project built by Bentley Companies.
Interior exit corridor of the Penguin Point Exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo, featuring a Ceco hollow metal door with Von Duprin panic hardware and a frosted window graphic of a penguin. Installed by Horner Commercial as part of a corrosion-resistant Assa Abloy door and hardware package.
Stairwell access area within Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Penguin Point care facility with Horner-supplied Ceco hollow metal doors and Von Duprin exit devices. Black steel railings and galvanized metal stairs connect workspaces for zookeepers managing the Humboldt penguin habitat.