two children sitting on floor of aquarium with panels surrounding them

Seattle Aquarium’s New Addition Speaks To Environmental Stewardship

2024 Best of Year Winner for Environmental Impact

Organic design inspired by ecology defines LMN Architects’s 50,000-square-foot Ocean Pavilion addition for Seattle Aquarium, an institution committed to ocean conservation. Expansive glazing—including an iconic oculus—bathes interior spaces in natural light, illuminating marine exhibits like the 500,000-gallon reef housing 120 species. Green materials, from carpet made of recycled fishing nets to recycled-paper Richlite paneling, reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship, while every detail, from the dichroic acrylic accents and exposed mechanicals to working with Indigenous consultants, speaks to transparency, inclusion, and interconnectedness. Behind the scenes, sustainable practices include all-electric operation systems and optimizing seawater usage.


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The aquarium at the national aquarium in washington
A group of people standing in front of a large aquarium
A large fish tank
A man is sitting on a set of stairs

PROJECT TEAM: MARK REDDINGTON; OSAMA QUOTAH; SCOTT CRAWFORD; HANNA KATO; TODD SCHWISOW; MARY ANNE SMITH; VANESSA ABIN-FUENTES; ALEX WOODHOUSE; MASAKO WADA; AYAKO SAKURAI.

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