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'The greatest moment came when the main ocean tank was filled...'

Client
Napier City Council

Contract period
18 months

Date completed
March 2002

Approximate cost
$8.5 million

Principal consultants
Architecture Warren & Mahoney

Scope of work
To refurbish and restrengthen the existing two storey circular Aquarium building and construction of a new 1800m² building containing a 1,500,000 litre ocean tank, acrylic tunnel and travelator, service and retail areas and a research facility.

Highlights
The project was built to tight tolerances due to the lead time on the imported acrylic panels requiring them to be ordered before the openings and rebates were formed and the special marine water tightness requirements meant stringent quality standards were required to be maintained.  The cylindrical roof also created some challenges at shop drawing stage being effectively curved in three directions. The greatest moment came, however, when the main ocean tank was filled and we couldn’t find a leak.