(Above) fi lm showings at the IMAX are
ABOUT BLUE REEF BRISTOL
included in the ticket price to the aquarium
aquatic ‘paintings’ of coral fi sh. Some of
Blue Reef’s new parent company Aspro these windows are concave, allowing peo-
also has some fi rm links to conservation. It T
hrough the entrance aquarium visi-
tors will fi nd themselves in a bright,
open space with a large café area ple to lean in and feel closer to the action.
runs the Natura Foundation, a not-for-profi t and well-stocked shop. Other exhibits at Blue Reef include a
environmental institution which invests in A long arched tunnel makes for a grand very physical ‘crawl-in and pop-up’ glass
a wide range of conservation, educational entrance up to the Imax, while before this a bubble helmet where visitors can view sea
and research activities. The foundation is smaller, cave-themed entrance directs visi- horses from a unique perspective, and a
mainly run from Aspro’s zoological sites in tors to the fi rst of the exhibits – a life-size ‘Wet Lab’ educational space.
Spain, but its existence also helps to add recreation of a sunken ship housing fi sh from As visitors continue on their journey they
some green credentials to the company’s British coastal waters. The walk-through is come out into the daylight of the former
portfolio of nature-based attractions – dark and atmospheric with back-lit informa- Wildwalk glass atrium. The original board-
which includes the Blue Planet aquarium in tion displays at both adult and child-height. walk remains, snaking round freshly planted
Cheshire, Deep Sea World in Fife and the Themed displays throughout the facil- tropical plants that will take a little while to
Barcelona aquarium. ity have been made by Nautilus Aquariums bed down and mature. The walkway contin-
In Bristol, there’s no doubt much relief working alongside architect Richard Williams ues around a waterfall, rock work (created by
from everyone that the city has fi lled a of Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams. For the fi rst Rockthemes) and open top aquarium tanks
highly visible void in an area so success- time, Blue Reef has incorporated LED light- before taking people back into the main
fully regenerated in the past decade with ing technology in the displays to cut energy building where there are further exhibits.
restaurants, galleries, cinema, casino, consumption by up to 60 per cent. Zahra D’Aronville is the curator for Blue
apartments and vibrant public spaces. The centrepiece is the realistic coral reef Reef Aquarium and involved in the fi nely-
Head of business development for the that sits within a giant tropical ocean dis- timed co-ordination of arrivals. “All our
South West RDA, Ann O’Driscoll, believes play and can be experienced from several species are sustainably sourced or captiv-
the new aquarium will greatly add to the viewpoints on different levels. Visitors can ity-bred. They undergo an acclimatisation
waterfront’s cultural mix. “It’s a highly look down through the open top tank, wind process to ensure they can immediately
prominent site and redeveloping such a around a footbridge and walk through an start to thrive in their new habitat,” she says.
specifi c building was always going to be underwater viewing tunnel. “Spaces above She’s particularly excited about the arrival
a challenge for any operator,” she says. the main tanks are normally service areas of the tiny, delicate Bangaii Cardinals which
“We’re delighted with the new aquarium that the public have no access to. Here, were fi rst successfully bred in captivity at
and are confi dent it will bring an even these have been incorporated into the main the Newquay site. “These fi sh only exist on
wider mix of people down to Harbourside.” exhibition spaces,” says Williams. one small island in Indonesia and are highly
Blue Reef Aquarium’s the new kid on the Another area is themed more like a con- endangered. It’s great that we’ve been able
block and the next few seasons should tell temporary gallery space, with white walls to breed them here and give visitors the
how much of a splash it will make with the and big round windows creating beautiful chance to learn about such a rare species.”
inhabitants of Bristol and beyond. ●
AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital 67
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