Melbourne Aquarium extension by Peddle Thorp, cnr. Flinders andf Kings way.

This extension is quite interesting as there are many different construction techniques being incorporated in the design. The pre-existing Melbourne aquarium sits between the Flinders street train line and the Yarra river, while the extension is being built of the other side of the tracks and partially underneath the tracks; this situation leads to an interesting resolution. Due to the pre-existing train lines overhead and its subsequent massive support structure, the aquarium extension has to work with the existing mass. As can be seen in one of the photos, concrete bricks have been added to the walls of the under-lying tunnel to perhaps create a square form in the passage.
The framing system on the street front is predominately steel, however, a couple of pre-cast concrete tilt-up panels have also been used. All the ventilation has been contained within the roof space. And, while it is only an educated guess, there should also be a substantial amount of poured concrete substructure because of the subterranean rooms/exhibits that need to be created while supporting the mass that lies overhead.



Antarctica exhibit