New York Aquarium
Ocean Wonders: Sharks!
Project Info:
Client: Wildlife Conservation Society
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Architect/reference: PG Architects/The Portico Group/ESKW Architects
Project Dates: 2016-2018
The new Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit building is a three-story cast-in-place concrete structure designed to reflect the Eastern Seaboard’s natural environment. In contrast to its urban backdrop, the aquarium blends with its ocean and beachfront setting through its organic shape, native landscaping, and unique shimmer wall cladding devised by MLA. Made of thousands of individual metal flappers that swing freely in response to the wind, the cladding creates a dynamic reflection of the waves and sky and draws in visitors to learn more. Eleven salt-water tanks within the building reveal the mysteries of sea life right next to New York City with a variety of experiences, including a coral reef tunnel and expansive shark tank with overhead viewing through a shipwreck.
The framing, designed by MLA, consists of mild steel reinforced concrete slabs and beams, concrete shear walls, and a mat foundation. Unique project challenges, including the partially submerged lowest building level, called for addressing buoyancy for high groundwater as well as 100-year flooding; hurricane level wind forces; heavy saltwater tank and life support system loads; and liquefaction of the native, sandy soils. Using the exhibit pool walls to support the back-of-house mezzanine level has kept the guest area free of columns for expansive, dramatic, and uninterrupted views into the main shark exhibit. Additional innovative features designed by MLA include an exterior wrap-around accessibility ramp leading to the rooftop children’s area with educational space and touch-tank, and to an eatery linking l services to the adjacent boardwalk.
Project Features:
+ Cast-in-Place Concrete
+ Organic shape and cladding
+ 11 Saltwater tanks
Services Provided:
+ Engineer-of-Record
+ Structural design of buildings, foundations, aquarium element
+ Structural design and support of theming elements throughout the facility
