THE WHALE - NYC AQUARIUM FINALIST
Cities allways have been planned near to the river. It brings profits for the citizens but also risk off being flooded and for centuries people are comming up with new solutions for warf developments instead of trying to create buildings which could be exploitable even when the river level comes up. Good example of the building which is even more connected to water is aquarium. It should be a connection between city and sea, giving people possibility to see how the underwater life looks like.
Architecture against animal cruelty.
Typical concept of aquarium as a huge tank filled with animals in captivity stirrs up a lot of controversy. Many modern aquariums does not respect the animal rights properly. The following is an architectural manifest against animal cruelty. Instead of locking annimals in crowded tiny tanks the project is using interactive, 3d projections on fog screens to attract and impress visitors without any harm to animals.
By interact with the instalation, kids can learn how to preserve and take care about the natural enviroment.
Design.
In 2012 the hurricane Sandy caused over $55 bilion damage in the USA. Instead of making special barriers which will prevent from flood, people should develop buildings adabtable to changing weather conditions. The following is a proposal to create building which function depends on the water level. The base level of the aquarium is an independent structure which floats on the water surface. If the level of river rise up the underground level is closing creating a watertight and safe space. Whole building could be accessed from the city and from the riverside by kayaks. With a view to the close distance to the Central Park, whole site is arranged in way to recreate main paths of the complex.
Ecology.
Besides an educational function the proposal is also a biological research center that study the opportunities to restore the connection between people and the nature. It is located on the top the large bio-pool and carries two main functions: it is an interesting public space and a fish hatchery. Because of its flora the pool fully natural tank that acts like natural lake which creates a perfect enviroment for breeding local species of fish. After reaching maturity the fish have been released into East River to be a part of regenerating, its natural bank. Water aeration curtains supplies the canal a required amount of oxygen. This unique symbiosis is the first step of returning the river to the local community with all respects to the nature. This valuable research can be used as a guidence for future strategies to revitalize water reservours in highly urbanised areas.