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The design is inspired by the intricate, harmonious forms of Nature; the spiralling, mysterious forms of galaxies & exquisitely proportioned shells found along Gujarat coast.
The primary inspiration is the nautilus, a marine mollusc, a captivating example of nature's exquisite design. A living fossil, it has evolved a beautifully segmented & spiralled shell, a logarithmic structure formed by a series of interconnected chambers, arranged in a precise, geometrically progressive manner.
Serving as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of science, dynamic evolution of knowledge & continuous exploration of the universe, this form is translated into the design, serving as a blueprint for creating spaces that seamlessly expand & evolve, capturing the essence of continuous growth & movement.
The Aquatic Gallery being India's first inland aquarium, serves as a transformative addition to the urban landscape of Ahmedabad city & the region. It bridges a significant gap by bringing the wonders of marine life to an inland location, offering a unique, previously unavailable, experience, which enriches the cultural & educational fabric of the region. Using green materials & sustainable practices, the project minimizes its environmental impact, enhancing the urban environment.
A Nature Park of 20 acres, developed on the adjacent site, is home to many diverse flora & fauna, besides other attractions. Through subsidized visits for school children, & free ones for less privileged rural kids, the project fulfils a social responsibility to promote education & environmental consciousness.
Awarded for both design & construction, the Gallery’s insulated envelope, low-e glazing, self-shading, north clerestories, automation & perimeter service areas, curtail energy use. Ground-level water loads maintain stable temperatures & optimal LSS. Centralized Chilled Water System, with Variable Frequency Drives & evaporative cooling saves 90 tons. Integrated Building Management Systems compatibility is via RS-485 equipped meters.
A shared sewage treatment plant uses energy efficient FMR technology. A centralized tank supplies water to gallery tanks, from where it is distributed through Hydropneumatics pumping. A ZLD system treats Saltwater Reject, for reuse in landscaping; excess goes to a saltwater tank. Rainwater goes to recharging wells, & efficient plumbing reduces water use by 44%.
The circular, segmented, spiral organization of galleries allows seamless movement through spaces of increasing size & continuity, allowing visitors to engage in a choreographed narrative, linked to the building's organic form. The exhibits unfold in synchrony with the circular movement, creating a captivating, living canvas, each section evoking environmental associations & a profound connection to water & life. A steel & glass canopy, like a cantilevered petal, amplifies the entrance's appeal. The central atrium, crowned with a steel deck slab, is a multipurpose space from where galleries emanate; its form ascends towards clerestories for light.
Exposed RCC exterior surfaces impart a dynamic visual quality, with shadow interplays on the façade & openings resembling fish gills. Visitors are treated to an engaging sensory experience through well-integrated lighting, AV technology, interactive features & environmental graphics. Both form & detailing prioritize structural stability & resilience against seismic & other natural calamities, & energy-efficient strategies curtail consumption.
The Gallery showcases 71% of Earth’s surface at an average depth of 3.5 km, featuring an underwater viewing walkway, multi-level viewing gallery, interpretation center & a monumental water-world map floor mural. 72 exhibit tanks house 12,000 fishes of 180 species, native to various regions. Life support systems ensure precise water parameters, with labs & quarantine areas for regular checkups.
Museums & Science Centres are storehouses of knowledge & help us understand the world better. The Aquatic Gallery, inaugurated by PM Modi & other dignitaries, celebrates & exhibits freshwater & marine ecosystems. Use of cutting-edge technology facilitated flawless execution of this world-class Aquarium. A major challenge was the project execution during COVID-19, which was met without any compromise on timelines, quality, & procurement of fishes across international borders.
INI Design Studio is an award-winning, multidisciplinary design firm, distinguished by its diverse portfolio & comprehensive array of professional consulting services encompassing Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Sustainability, Interiors, Research & Art.
INI stands for ideas that are driven by a number of I’s such as Inquiry, Imagination, Innovation, Inspiration, Inclusiveness and many more I’s. But most importantly it stands for Integrated Ideas, referring to the integrated and collaborative nature of our practice and out of the box design ideas.
Our team of 350+ professionals with robust & varied national & international experience, are responsible for successfully integrating cutting edge innovation for energy efficiency and sustainability into the design of all of our projects, improving the quality of life of people by enhancing their access to better housing, healthcare, education, urban environment and infrastructure.
https://www.inidesignstudio.co...
