W. M. Jordan | Projects

Virginia Aquarium Original Exhibits Renovation
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Owner:	City of Virginia Beach and The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Virginia Beach, Virginia
Architects:	Chermayeff, Sollogub & Poole, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts

The Virginia Marine Science Museum, now called the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum, is expanding its facilities with a two-phased project of added space and gallery renovations. W. M. Jordan Company is overseeing all exhibit renovations and is constructing the facility expansion. Included in the expansion is standard renovation and construction of cast-in-place aquarium spaces with exhibit habitats, audio/visual systems and life-support systems. Project construction will also include installation of an HVAC system, BAS Controls system, fire protection system and emergency power system.

The Virginia Aquarium is one of the top facilities in the country with more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, over 300 hands-on exhibits, an outdoor aviary, ten acres of marsh habitat and a 1/3-mile nature trail. The renovated facility will feature habitat and interactive exhibits such as the earthquake display, which will include a working Seismograph to record minor quakes that occur in Virginia. Another display, the coal display, will present interactive options for individuals to replicate geothermal cooking and create their own coal samples with pressure and heat.

W. M. Jordan Company built a major expansion to the Aquarium in the 1990's, which added the Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion, the Atlantic Ocean Pavilion, a new Grand Entrance, and expanded visitor service facilities, galleries and administrative offices.