Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

New Exhibit, New Face to Boardwalk

The exhibit, designed by Portico Group in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), highlights sharks and wildlife native to the waters surrounding New York City. The naturally solid exterior of aquarium buildings—designed to accommodate large mechanical systems and maintain low-light conditions that mimic deep-sea environments—creates a canvas for signage and artwork, creating a new landmark on the Coney Island Boardwalk.

Striking Exhibit, with Lots of Support

The spiral entry on the Aquarium plaza beckons visitors into the exhibit. The aluminum panels conceal carefully integrated flood protection details, invisible until needed, to protect the building. Visitors encounter the diverse animals living off the NYC shore as they wind through the exhibit. The public spaces are only about one-third of the volume of the building; the rest is devoted to systems and support space. Walchitects principal Michael Walch’s role in this project was focused on integrating these functional spaces, and bringing the exterior envelope to fruition.

Building Wall, Siren Call

The building’s exterior is its own exhibit. A gently ascending ramp wraps the perimeter, offering panoramic views of Coney Island while guiding visitors through interpretive signage that explores the area’s ecological and human history. This journey culminates at a rooftop terrace featuring a touch tank, classroom, and outdoor dining with views to the ocean. Artist Ned Kahn’s shimmer wall kinetic sculpture encircles the structure in a dynamic veil of aluminum flappers suspended on stainless steel cables. Moving with the wind, the installation creates flowing patterns of reflected sunlight by day and, with continuous lighting at its base, ensure the building remains a luminous beacon in the Coney Island night skyline. 

Project Credits

Architecture ESKW/Architects, I was Project Manager and Project Architect
Client Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Project Prime PG Architects, Landscape Architects and Exhibit Designers, P.C.
Exhibit Design, Landscape Architecture The Portico Group, and the WCS – Exhibition and Graphic Arts Department
Exhibit and Graphic Design WCS – Exhibition and Graphic Arts Department
Shimmer Wall Artist Ned Kahn Studios
Environmental Graphics Doyle Partners
Civil Leonard J. Strandberg and Associates
MEP Kallen & Lemelson Consulting
Lighting Consultant Focus Lighting
A/V – IT Consultant Unified Field with Electrosonic and AKF
Structural Engineer MLA Engineering

Banner photo: Michael Walch. Aerial video: WCS. Shimmer wall video: Michael Walch. Exterior photos & interior Canyon’s Edge video: Amanda Royale Sengstacken.

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