Lissoni Architettura Conceptualizes a Submerged Aquarium in the East River
By now we all know about the urban design fad of floating things in NYC’s rivers (Pier55, +Pool, this island), but here’s a concept for an under-water public space off Long Island City. Untapped took a look at this proposal for a submerged aquarium from Milan-based architecture firm Lissoni Architettura. Titled NYCAquatrium, it will likely never get built since it’s just the winning entry in Arch Out Loud’s ideas competition for a New York City aquarium and public waterfront, but it’s certainly an innovative project.
The structure would require dredging to create a new basin (a technical issue that probably wouldn’t sit well with the Army Corps of Engineers) aligned with the city grid. It would be accessed via a peripheral pathway that connects to the Long Island City waterfront.
A lower level would contain the actual aquarium, while the higher level would be a floating green island. At night, the island would slide to cover the island and turn into a planetarium, its movement resembling that of a shell.
A sloping beachfront would cover the parking area, and a public park would connect the mainland with the new basin.
You can view the full proposal here, and see all the finalists here.
[Via Untapped]
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Images via Lissoni Architettura
