Extreme Expansion

New habitat:  Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes

Architects:  Chermayeff, Sollogub & Poole. This firm’s principals also designed the Aquarium’s main building on Pier 3, which opened in 1981.

Construction: Aqua Venture, a partnership of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. and Barton/Malow

Exhibit design: Exhibits and Design department, National Aquarium in Baltimore
 
Groundbreaking: September 5, 2002

Opening date:  December 16, 2005

Building size:  
~ 64,500 square feet
~ 120 feet high at the tallest point

Materials: 
~ 1 hand-knotted metal screen, measuring 15,000+ square feet, to keep the birds, bats and free-roaming lizards safely inside the exhibit
~ 120+ pilings, driven 40 feet into the harbor, support the extra weight of the new building
~ 150+ plants, from 50 different species, all indigenous to Australia
~ 1,000 gallons a minute will tumble over the 35-foot waterfall 
~ 1,800 Australian animals, representing more than 120 species
~ 6,000 cubic yards of concrete – more than the capacity of the Aquarium’s Pier 4 dolphin pool
 ~ 33,000 square feet of crystal clear, low-iron float glass in the walls and roof 
 ~ 60,000 gallons of freshwater will circulate in the seven Australian-themed enclosures
 
New amenities: 
~ Expanded visit planning and ticketing services will be offered at www.aqua.org, the Aquarium’s Web site.
 ~ The Aquarium Cafe, a new 6,650 square foot eatery.
 ~ The Aquarium Shop, a new 5,000 square foot retail space.
 ~ Private member entrance.
 ~ Ground-level entrance and enhanced visitor services area featuring a larger indoor stroller check, first aid station, visitor comfort room and additional restrooms.

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