Crafting the Kopje Rock: Sculpting Spray Concrete in Action

In this follow-up to our last reel featuring the finished Kopje rock, step behind the scenes with Bruce, Graham, and Jason as they bring this rock to life. Using slowly setting spray concrete, they skillfully carve the intricate details that replicate the unique erosion patterns of African kopjes. 

I (Jason) even had to pause my own carving to capture the spectacle on film—it’s not every day you get to witness artistry and teamwork like this 😅

Crafting the Kopje Rock: Sculpting Spray Concrete in Action

In this follow-up to our last reel featuring the finished Kopje rock, step behind the scenes with Bruce, Graham, and Jason as they bring this rock to life. Using slowly setting spray concrete, they skillfully carve the intricate details that replicate the unique erosion patterns of African kopjes.

I (Jason) even had to pause my own carving to capture the spectacle on film—it’s not every day you get to witness artistry and teamwork like this 😅
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Anti-Climb Kopje Rock: A Natural Solution for Zoo Habitat Design

Kopjes, the iconic rocky outcrops scattered across the African savannah, are as striking as they are functional. With their ancient origins and unique “onion-skin” erosion patterns, these formations offer endless inspiration for sculpting. 

By recreating this natural beauty, we not only disguise unsightly block walls but also create an anti-climb surface that blends seamlessly into the habitat. These sculpted kopjes add authenticity and character, turning a practical necessity into an artistic feature that feels straight out of the wild.

Anti-Climb Kopje Rock: A Natural Solution for Zoo Habitat Design

Kopjes, the iconic rocky outcrops scattered across the African savannah, are as striking as they are functional. With their ancient origins and unique “onion-skin” erosion patterns, these formations offer endless inspiration for sculpting.

By recreating this natural beauty, we not only disguise unsightly block walls but also create an anti-climb surface that blends seamlessly into the habitat. These sculpted kopjes add authenticity and character, turning a practical necessity into an artistic feature that feels straight out of the wild.
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How to paint an African skyline with Wayne.

@hellosineight

How to paint an African skyline with Wayne.

@hellosineight
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Little taste of a mysto North African inspired animal environment in the making.

Little taste of a mysto North African inspired animal environment in the making. ...

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About 100m2 of retaining wall we made for our friends at @hamertonzoopark just before the rains set in last autumn. I enjoyed a trip back to the project last weekend to perform the painting and staining.

About 100m2 of retaining wall we made for our friends at @hamertonzoopark just before the rains set in last autumn. I enjoyed a trip back to the project last weekend to perform the painting and staining. ...

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We are on a zoo project right now which will take many months. I can’t post progress pics during this time unfortunately so Im going to delve into our earlier stuff and post some moments from earlier days.
Looking back, we have definitely become better- but still, I am proud of the work we did back then. I think, working in this industry, the people who you work with, the sub-contractor artists along with the regular guys and girls you employ, all add to your skill set. 

This photo is me working on the Humboldt Penguin habitat in March 2015 at Schevenigen Sealife Centre in The Netherlands. 

This project belonged to Ton Van Helden @ateliershapelab and they hired us to do the rock- later we went on to do a project in Barbados together!

The rock team on this was myself, Juan Artillo, @tomchapmandj and @ruaraidhmoniesphotography 

Gonna post some more pics, maybe one per week, and I would like to highlight some of the people who have inspired Koda Creative (and me)

📷@ruaraidhmoniesphotography

We are on a zoo project right now which will take many months. I can’t post progress pics during this time unfortunately so Im going to delve into our earlier stuff and post some moments from earlier days.
Looking back, we have definitely become better- but still, I am proud of the work we did back then. I think, working in this industry, the people who you work with, the sub-contractor artists along with the regular guys and girls you employ, all add to your skill set.

This photo is me working on the Humboldt Penguin habitat in March 2015 at Schevenigen Sealife Centre in The Netherlands. 

This project belonged to Ton Van Helden @ateliershapelab and they hired us to do the rock- later we went on to do a project in Barbados together!

The rock team on this was myself, Juan Artillo, @tomchapmandj and @ruaraidhmoniesphotography

Gonna post some more pics, maybe one per week, and I would like to highlight some of the people who have inspired Koda Creative (and me)

📷@ruaraidhmoniesphotography
...

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🌿🐊 Witness the mesmerizing transformation of the crocodile habitat at @stratforduponavonbutterfly ! 🦋🌿 One year post-construction, nature has truly taken the reins, with lush vegetation reclaiming its space, thriving moss in damp corners, and an active pool ecosystem with well-established fish. 🌱🐟
A collaborative masterpiece with @aquariumtechnologylimited , the small Cenote scene stands as a testament to our commitment to creating harmonious habitats. 🤝✨ Join us in celebrating the beauty of themed construction and the seamless blend of technology and nature! 🌐🦎 

🎥 @darren.trent_

🌿🐊 Witness the mesmerizing transformation of the crocodile habitat at @stratforduponavonbutterfly ! 🦋🌿 One year post-construction, nature has truly taken the reins, with lush vegetation reclaiming its space, thriving moss in damp corners, and an active pool ecosystem with well-established fish. 🌱🐟
A collaborative masterpiece with @aquariumtechnologylimited , the small Cenote scene stands as a testament to our commitment to creating harmonious habitats. 🤝✨ Join us in celebrating the beauty of themed construction and the seamless blend of technology and nature! 🌐🦎

🎥 @darren.trent_
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A while ago, we built this 19m (60ft) high Jaguar Shrine which graces the immersive landscape of World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures, London. This architectural marvel was meticulously crafted alongside the expertise of B&E Services, who designed and installed the awe-inspiring structural steel framework.
Our contribution to this involved the precise connection to the structural steel, followed by the application of a meticulously executed shotcrete, sculpted shell. 
In the video, I tried to get much information into 60 seconds, providing a glimpse into our part of the process that brought this visionary project to fruition. The design orchestration was masterfully conducted by the esteemed team at Merlin Magic Making
Welcome to a realm where artistry meets structural ingenuity!

A while ago, we built this 19m (60ft) high Jaguar Shrine which graces the immersive landscape of World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures, London. This architectural marvel was meticulously crafted alongside the expertise of B&E Services, who designed and installed the awe-inspiring structural steel framework.
Our contribution to this involved the precise connection to the structural steel, followed by the application of a meticulously executed shotcrete, sculpted shell.
In the video, I tried to get much information into 60 seconds, providing a glimpse into our part of the process that brought this visionary project to fruition. The design orchestration was masterfully conducted by the esteemed team at Merlin Magic Making
Welcome to a realm where artistry meets structural ingenuity!
...

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Back to the summer when got our new #putzmeister SP11 😍

#rockwork #sprayedconcrete #concretepump #screedpump #concreteconstruction #concretelife #artificialrock

Back to the summer when got our new #putzmeister SP11 😍

#rockwork #sprayedconcrete #concretepump #screedpump #concreteconstruction #concretelife #artificialrock
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Rock for climbing on. Steel and sprayed concrete.

Rock for climbing on. Steel and sprayed concrete. ...

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