Aquarium of the Pacific
Project Details
Facade System: Decorative Glass Façade + Carrier Frame
Product: VetraFin-S Series
Scope: Facade Engineering & Material Supply
Completion: 2019
Project Credits
Owner: Aquarium of the Pacific
Architect: EHDD Architecture, San Francisco
Glazing Contractor: Woodbridge Glass, Inc.
General Contractor: Clark Construction
Photo Credit: Tom Bonner
Winner of Glass Magazine’s 2019 award for Best Exterior Decorative Glass Application, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA is Southern California’s largest aquarium. The 2019 expansion of the Pacific Visions wing was conceived as a futuristic vision for what aquariums should be- centers of innovation, imagination, creativity, and of wonder, respect and stewardship for the Ocean.
San Francisco-based EHDD architects, the award-winning firm who also designed the Aquarium of the Pacific’s original building, used inspiration from the organic environmental shapes and patterns surrounding the architectural landmark. Utilizing Sentech’s VetraFin S-Series System, Sentech partnered with EHDD and Buro Happold to design an open-joint steel aluminum carrier frame. In total, 839 reflective, blue, uniquely-shaped, triple-laminated decorative glass panels came together to create a gently curved, biomorphic, complex glass façade that evokes the depth and luminous splendor of the nearby Pacific Ocean.