Liquid Envelopes: 8 Wondrous New Urban Aquariums

Aquariums are designed around new perspectives. Allowing observers to look at their world through a fresh lens, these projects use view, light and enclosure to orchestrate discovery. Displaying water-dwelling animals and plants, aquariums come in widely different sizes. Both private and commercial in nature, they may range from simple tanks to large public aquaria. Housing everything from single organisms inside nano aquariums to entire ecosystems, these projects work with filtration systems, heaters and refrigeration devices. With a history rooted in Roman marble tanks made for sea barbell, modern aquariums are created as monumental projects.

Increasingly, aquariums combine display areas and tanks with education programs and research spaces. Classified by salinity, animal species or temperature range, they are diverse projects that require specialized attention and care. As each of the following projects show, aquariums celebrate spatial experience. Immersive environments are created that encourage slow processions and unexpected encounters. As wondrous projects, aquariums are designed for inspired exploration.

Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium by Studio 3LHD, Karlovac, Croatia

The Karlovac Aquarium was sited partially along the river Korana. Conceptually, the project was inspired by the city’s historic center “Karlovac star” surrounded by defensive earthen walls and mounds. As a new tourist attraction and focal point, the aquarium aimed to respect the natural Korana valley.

Ozeanium by HHF Architects, Basel, Switzerland

As an ocean aquarium, Ozeanium is designed to help bring the city center, park and zoo closer together and create more seamless recreational environments. Designed with bold massing and a powerful approach to the building envelope, the project features exogenous inclusions, exposed concrete and horizontally graduated boarding.

Antalya Aquarium by Bahadır Kul Architects, Antalya, Turkey

The Antalya Aquarium in Turkey was made to be in harmony with its surrounding landscape. Combining a public area with interior program, the design includes a wavy, curvaceous shell that helps protect from the wind.

Blue Planetby 3XN, Kastrup, Denmark

Shaped as a great whirlpool north of Kastrup Harbor, Denmark’s new National Aquarium was inspired by aquatic elements and the sea. Merging landscape, building and water, the project was covered with diamond-shaped aluminum plates that adapt to the building’s form and reflect the sky.

Lisbon Aquarium Extension by Campos Costa Arquitetos, Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s Aquarium Extension expands the relationship between new and existing construction, a design made to promote exchange and discovery. As a catalytic public project in Parque das Nações, it serves as an extension of the site’s public space.

Monterey Bay Aquarium by EHDD, Monterey, Calif., United States

As one of the great aquariums of the last 25 years, Monterey Bay Aquarium stands as a major tourist attraction and cultural institution. Located partially over water, the design was made to interact with land and sea as a reflection of its interior content.

Mora River Aquarium by PROMONTORIO, Mora, Portugal

Located in Mora, this river aquarium is sited in the Northern Alentejo region of Portugal. Made to embody biodiversity paradigms of the Iberian river, the design borders the Raia stream and integrates with the Ecological Wild Park of Gameiro.

Aquarium San Sebastián by Hoz Fontan Arquitectos, Spain

The Aquarium of San Sebastian can be found along the base of Mount Urgull. Located in La Concha Bay, the institution uses peripheral components to frame a powerful experience.