The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Photos by Renfro Design Group

2021
Beyer Blinder Belle
Norwalk, CT

32,000 GSF New Additions, 115,000 GSF Existing Building

CIVIC
Exhibitions, Education

With the renovation and expansion of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, new entrance lobbies, Imax theater, and marinelife exhibits make the aquarium a prime learning destination. To improve existing lighting conditions in public spaces and exhibits, RDG studied the physics of light and water. From this, RDG was able to recreate the effect of sunrays through water and give visitors the impression of animals’ natural habitats.

RDG considered maintenance one of the most important features of the new design. The resulting outcome was a system of long-lasting robust fixtures that could endure an aquatic environment. The exhibit fixtures are linked to a centralized control system, this allows the Aquarium to override daily lighting settings for special events such as sleepovers or sensory friendly opening hours.

The lighting blends into the existing and expanded building envelope and transitions a simple industrial aesthetic through newer and older sections of the aquarium.