Arabian Sea Oceanarium: Place to call home for marine Life

Savitribai Phule Pune University

Project idea

Typology: Recreational + Entertainment + Public Space

Underwater journey base on various themes such as; Jim Corbett forest, Elephanta cave, Tropical Ocean, and coral reef – sea rainforest, etc. Building divides them into three zones such as; main display, recreational hell, and heaven zone, which focus on every marine aquatic life from salt to cold and warm water, etc.
Building consist 278 aquariums display tanks; housing over 224 different species of fish and creatures found in three main coasts such as, the Malabar, the gulf of Khambhat, and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Project description

a) Design footprint focus on two principles; exclude opposite side live display by replacing it with static display. Secondly; moving in the downward direction, to create a sweat-free walk in the overall oceanarium building.
b) The interior range from grand to intimate, giving the exhibit spaces an array of diverse environments and moods, with help of Projection film; interactivity, graphics, illustrations, signs, etc. aimed at all age groups so that every visitor regardless of background or interests has the best experience possible.
c) Visitors and physically challenged staff, provide with elevators carrying capacity of 36 - 64 people. While escalators and ramps, consist of adequate slopes and queues space all around aquariums to enhance moving.
d) In total; Oceanarium building contains app. 32,555,614 liters of water for the four giant display tanks and 274 small exhibits. Housing over 224 different species of fish and creatures found in three coasts; the Malabar, the gulf of Khambhat and the Lakshadweep islands.
e) The four giant tanks; consist a long underwater ramp / tunnel moving in downward direction, in adjoin with 360 degree underwater dome.
f) 4D sky ocean motion theatre; aquarium plus toy gift shop, Oceanarium Park consist swimming with dolphin & dugong and scuba diving with fish are the part of the building entertainment programs. Similarly; seminar hall, class room and workshop are also part of the building educational programs.
g) Building consist different marine taxidermy preservation rooms for exhibition and study purposes. While the DNA research and sperm test-tube laboratory, for reproduction of marine species in their natural habitat.
h) A mixture of translucent glass roof; provide an illusion of oxygen bubble around the human body surface by using natural light, sound, advanced AV-technology and air conditioning, etc. Solar gain reduction through moving louvers, keeps the temperature and humidity under control.
i) To prevent from carbon-dioxide, building consist maximum amount of mangrove tree plantation using tetrapod, for building interior exhibits and external peripheral.
j) South face vertical solar panels, maintain building atmosphere and help to cut down solar-gain to create electricity. With the safety features such as; fire alarm systems, extinguisher, smoke detectors, sprinklers, biometric face recognition and escapes staircase at every 30m distance, etc.

Technical information

1. Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial Arabian Sea, off Marine Drive Mumbai, Maharashtra.
2. Shivaji Maharaj Memorial Site Area: 1, 59,600 (15.96 Ha) - RECREATIONAL PLOT
3. Proposed Oceanarium Campus Site Area: 30,621 m²
4. Building Floors: G + 6 Floor
5. F.S.I: 0.50 (50%)
6. Building Carpet Area: 12,611 m²
7. Building Built Up Area: 15,131 m²
8. Ancillary Building Services Area: 12,500 m² (Free From F.S.I as per government norms)
9. Building Landscape Area: 12,951 m² (Free From F.S.I as per government norms)
10. Annual Energy Consumption & Surplus:
a) 500 solar panels for oceanarium space, which 500W per solar panel. Produce according to sun hours in Mumbai are as follows.
• Annual Required Energy Consumption: 547.5MW
• Annual Energy Generation: 799.7MW
• Annual Energy Surplus: 252.2MW
b) 250 solar panels for public space, which carry 500W per solar panel. Produce according to sun hours in Mumbai are as follows.
• Annual Required Energy Consumption: 273.75MW
• Annual Energy Generation: 399.8MW
• Annual Energy Surplus: 126.1MW