Oceanarium

Outside the perimeter of the zoo in Basle, the scenography of the Oceanarium recalls the story of the local and global biodiversity of the sea. Right at the entrance, the fauna and flora of the shores of the Rhine are staged. The visitor then follows the current of the river to the sea and the oceans. The visiting tour on ramps is borrowed from flows within the sea. The viewer follows cold streams in direction of the seabed and reoccurs to the surface among warmer currents.

With an elaborated mise en scene the visitor lives very vividly within the fascinating world of the oceans. Carried through the different sequences of the currents of the seas, touching all his senses, the viewer is transgressed into an euphoric state. Through his emotions and his fascination the visitor becomes one with the habitats of the sea. His adventures sensitize him for the richness and variety of the biodiversity and at same time its vulnerability within the seas.

CLIENT
Zoo, Basle

ASSIGNMENT
Scenographic design and concept of information of the Oceanarium

PLANNING TEAM
el hassani & keller,
Bernard Tschumi, Architect and urban designer (BTaA)
with Véronique Decharrières,
Coutant aquarium specialist, Gruner Engineering

SURFACE
Oceanarium 6 000m² net
Building surface 10 000m² net

TIMELINE
Competition November 2012