Pacific Visions’ relief wall features interactive panels that mimic the textural and whimsical elements of coral.
Dive in at Long Beach’s iconic Aquarium of the Pacific as the beloved institution recently debuted its new Pacific Visions wing, the culmination of a 14-year campus master plan. The motion of the ocean begins with the 29,000-square-foot building’s outer facade. Designed by San Franciso-based architecture firm EHDD, the curved silhouette of the structure, covered in more than 800 reflective glass panels, is intended to mimic the fluidity and luminscent nature of the Pacific Ocean. Upon entrance, seafarers are greeted by a series of dazzling installations and art exhibits by European art and design practice Convivial Studio, which transports viewers into the underwater world of coral and plankton via projections, soundscapes, a touchable relief wall, glass sculptures and more. And before visitors enter the crown jewel—the 300-seat stadium-style Honda Pacific Visions Theater, which is punctuated by a 180-degree, 130-foot-wide curved screen—a virtual waterfall springs to life, inviting them to move through its ripples. Now, that’s making a splash. Tickets $25-$35, aquariumofthepacific.org
Photography by: coral films/howard hall productions
