The new Oceania Mall in Moscow, Russia is now home to the tallest cylindrical aquarium in the world. Designed and built by International Concept Management (ICM), the 24-meter-tall, 10-meter-wide acrylic aquarium serves as the centerpiece of the new mall, immersing guests in an underwater environment.
The tank holds 900,000 liters of saltwater and was built using 56 pieces of acrylic. Once the individual pieces arrived on site, they were bonded together in specially built technical rooms. Once completed, the largest crane in Russia was needed to lift the massive bonded aquarium pieces into place in the mall. The process, from design to completion, took about 15 months to complete.
Visitors to the mall can enjoy the aquarium from afar, or they can take a hydraulic elevator, the largest in the world, up through the aquarium to get the best view of the 3,200 artificial corals and 50 different species of sharks, rays, and fish found in the tank. The elevator lets its passengers off at the top floor of the mall where they can exit via a walk-through tunnel.
ICM used a filtration system with a modular design so any component can be adjusted without altering the function of the others. The system is located beneath the aquarium and was designed to be hydraulically stable to maximize the integrity of the aquarium.
For more information on the Oceania Mall aquarium, click here.
Related Stories
| Mar 20, 2014
D.C. breaks ground on $2B mega waterfront development [slideshow]
When complete, the Wharf will feature approximately 3 million sf of new residential, office, hotel, retail, cultural, and public uses, including waterfront parks, promenades, piers, and docks.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Mar 5, 2014
5 tile design trends for 2014
Beveled, geometric, and high-tech patterns are among the hot ceramic tile trends, say tile design experts.
| Mar 4, 2014
DDG to design canyon-inspired mall in Cileungsi Bogor
DDG envisions the mall as offering the conveniences of a small city, where shopping, entertainment, socializing, and the interaction of people combine for a wide variety of community and cultural activities.
| Feb 25, 2014
NYC's Hudson Spire would be nation's tallest tower if built
Design architect MJM + A has released an updated design scheme for the planned 1,800-foot-tall, superthin skyscraper.
| Feb 19, 2014
It's a world record! Largest uninterrupted concrete pour kicks off Wilshire Grand project
Guinness World Records verifies the concrete pour as the largest ever
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
Related Companies, LargaVista partner to develop mixed-use tower in SoHo
The site is located at the gateway to the booming SoHo retail market, where Class A office space is scarce yet highly in demand.
| Feb 10, 2014
Architecture Design Collaborative announces firm opening in Southern California
Today, Architecture Design Collaborative officially announces the launch of its firm providing a full range of architecture and interior design services nationwide. Architecture Design Collaborative offers architectural design services, comprehensive interior design services, developer collaboration, direct tenant improvement, repositioning and site planning.
| Feb 5, 2014
7 towers that define the 'skinny skyscraper' boom [slideshow]
Recent advancements in structural design, combined with the loosening of density and zoning requirements, has opened the door for the so-called "superslim skyscraper."