Henning Larsen wins Batumi Aquarium competition

Henning Larsen Architects has won the international design competition for a new aquarium in the Georgian seaport of Batumi.

The 2000 m2 aquarium, which will replace the port's previous aquarium, will be situated on the beach side of Rustaveli Str. adjacent to Batumi 6 May and includes a Dolphinarium and Zoo.

According to the architects, the buildings form is "inspired by the characteristic pebbles of the Batumi beach, continually shaped by the wash of the waves through millennia, the building stands out as an iconic rock formation visible from both land and sea."

The building is four self-supporting exhibition areas, with each "stone" representing a unique marine biotype - the Aegean Sea & the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea & the Red Sea.

There is also an interactive exhibition space for teaching and "edutainment".

Commenting on the competition win, , Louis Becker, design director and partner at Henning Larsen, said, "The building will become a landmark and an organic reference to all elements of the sea. It captures the special atmosphere by the sea and thus becomes a tribute to the power of the sea!"

Batumi Aquarium has been designed to become a modern, cultural aquarium offering visitors an educational, entertaining and visually stimulating journey through the different seas. The central, multipurpose space, will feature a café and retail outlets.

Project facts

Location: Batumi in the Republic of Georgia

Client: Association A.T.U.

Gross floor area: 2000 m2

Project team: Louis Becker (design director, partner) Anders Park (project manager), Viggo Haremst (design responsible), Michael Sørensen and Jaewoo Chun.