2024 IIDA Northern CA
Design Award Honoree
PLAY Category

Jury Comment:
“It feels like an elevated social club and I love the flexibility of use. It is great how they have scaled this for children and yet made it accessible for all. It made me want to go there.“

Client Statement:
The Sobela Ocean Aquarium has been a remarkable addition to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. The Aquarium increased the diversity of animals at the Zoo and the number of animal residents from 1,700 to nearly 10,000. Its opening marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Zoo’s brand, including a change of name/logo, and has led to record breaking attendance numbers. We appreciate the attention to detail paid by the team as they designed the Aquarium with flexibility in mind; the space is not only a world-class habitat for sea life but can also host a variety of events, from hands-on educational programming to formal fundraisers.

The design team was also intentional with their approach to the structure of the animal habitats. The theme of ocean currents throughout the building provides a framework lending meaning and context to the diverse marine habitats. This theme is reinforced by distinct architectural elements such as variations in light/space, which create a sensory journey through the entire building and make guests feel as though they are experiencing the ocean. This demonstrated the team’s care for our mission to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for these important ecosystems and their conservation.

Project Statement:
The Sobela Aquarium is more than an addition to the Kansas City Zoo—it’s a transformation of the entire facility. Spanning 72,000 square feet, the aquarium offers an indoor, allseason attraction. It catapulted the zoo’s population from 1,700 to over 10,000 and spurred a complete rebrand of the facility.

https://iidanc.org/honorees/kansas-city-zoo-aquarium/

@kansascityzoo
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Photography: @mrobinsonphoto