The Seattle Aquarium, located at Pier 59 along the Seattle waterfront, has undergone its first major renovation in 30 years.  The renovated historic 100+ year old building housing the Aquarium now features a 120,000 gallon "Window on Washington Water” fish tank in an expansive 18,000 sf exhibit space.

It was recognized early in the design process that a synergy between the massive aquarium filtration system and the exhibit space HVAC system could be a valuable reclamation of resources. Utilizing titanium shell and tube heat exchangers, the air conditioning system rejects its heat into the perpetually circulating aquarium filtration water. This behind the scenes integration and cooling strategy will save valuable energy helping further evolve sustainable solutions. As future displays and attractions are rotated through the main exhibit space, the underfloor air distribution strategy will provide flexibility and comfort.  The expansion opened on June 22, 2007.

Unique Features Include:

• Open floor exhibit space
• Underfloor air distribution for heating/cooling/ventilation
• Earth coupled heat exchanger using Puget Sound seawater
• Mixed mode operation to take advantage of natural ventilation
• Motorized louvered clerestory
• User operated lower level windows

The project recently won the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), Engineering Excellence Gold Award for remodel and pier restoration.