Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium - Aquarium Facade Renovation

Omaha, Nebraska

The Aquarium Façade Remodel at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) puts a new face on the public side of one of the Zoo’s main attractions. The project consists of demolition of the previous front end of the Aquarium, including the snack bar and restrooms. In its place, a new concessions kitchen has been installed, along with new restrooms. The biggest visual impact is made by the new steel canopy, clad with stainless steel panels, an aluminum coral façade and over 4,000 LEDs, providing seemingly endless lighting options. On top of the canopy structure, eight stainless steel waves, varying in size from 15 foot long to over 40 foot long provide yet another unique and unprecedented architectural feature to the Aquarium. To finish off the public portion of the remodel, a new plaza was installed, complete with over 13,000 SF of ceramic tile.

In addition to the upgrades on the front of the building, the Aquarium Conference Center (ACC) also received a significant facelift. The concourse area was expanded and remodeled, the restrooms remodeled, and the 4,000 SF gathering space was given all new finishes, including ceiling, paint, flooring, and lighting, as well as some audio-visual upgrades throughout. In the back of the house, an expansion to the Servery was included to provide additional storage and prep space for the many events that are held in the ACC.