Zoos & Aquariums

Chapter 2

Designing

Animal-Specific Habitats

The Sanriku Marine Ecosystem:
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

Built in 2015 and located in Sendai’s Takasago area, which suffered extensive flooding in the tsunamis of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Umino-Mori Aquarium is a symbol of the recovery. With a theme concept of vibrant sea life, the aquarium exhibits showcase the connections between man and ocean. The central exhibition space is the “Seas of Japan, Seas of Tohoku" zone, which introduces the Tohoku ocean from various perspectives. The aquarium is designed into five independent clusters, allowing visitors to experience both sea life and their habitats, and enabling management to continuously update the exhibits. Additionally, many of the tanks are uncovered, including the 990 m3 Sanriku tank (14 m wide, 7.5 m deep), and natural light is integrated in various areas with top lights and outdoor marine animal exhibits. These features flavor the exhibits with a sense of changes in time and season.

Point 01

Main tank exhibit using natural light

The Sanriku tank (14 m wide, 7.5 m deep, 990 m3 volume) is left uncovered and open to the outdoors on its top. This infusion of natural light displays the true radiance of the marine life and, through the refracted light shimmering off the tank floor, makes visitors feel as if they have actually dived into the ocean to watch the marine life. In order to make it feel more visually expansive with a limited volume of water, the tank was given a trapezoidal section with artificial rocks overlapping to form an underwater background for more of a sense of depth.

Point 02

Highly independent clusters for exhibit space

With the objective of displaying the features of their habitats along with the marine life, the core exhibit space was designed in five highly independent clusters. Each cluster presents a different theme, such as tidal flats, eelgrass, or the inner bay. This structure also makes it easier to perform partial renovations without closing the entire aquarium, enabling updates without major impact on visitor numbers.

Point 03

Designed to feel bigger than its floor area

An outdoor area is integrated as part of the 500-meter linear visitor flow. The aquarium was designed to utilize every last corner of the interior space, with filtering and other mechanical equipment that could be installed outside placed in outdoor installations adjacent to the exhibit rooms. We used such design tricks to produce a satisfying aquarium that feels bigger than its 9,900 m2 floor area.