First ever manual to systematically delve into public aquariums as an architectural typology, examining the history of aquarium maintenance, planning parameters, and a selection of ground-breaking buildings and structures in an international context.

The task of designing a large aquarium pre­­sents architects with a multiplicity of challenges: the fundamental elements of interior design – light, colour, and surfaces – must be meshed with special requirements concerning building technology. This book takes a comprehensive look at the development of architecture and display methods for artificial underwater worlds. Based on analysis of more than 50 historical and contemporary buildings, the editors formulate ten parameters to serve as guidelines in the design of future buildings. The aim of this publication is to provide architects and their clients, zoologists and operators of large aquariums, with planning parameters and quality criteria to help them in designing a sustainable aquarium. This book is the sixth volume in a series of publications by the Institute for Zoo Architecture at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Dessau.