I will never cease to be amazed at how so many architects make a mental connection between aquaria and brutalist bunker constructions.I can only assume that they observed so many "Flash Prohibited" signs during information-gathering visits to other aquaria that they came to the conclusion that all marine species are extremely photofobic and must be buried away in the bowels of the earth.I firmly believe that one of the great revolutions in zoo animal husbandry that our generation will live to see is that aquaria will become airy , light-filled places as of course they should be ( save for those species with special requirements, obviously).The same goes for herp buildings.Bats, lizards , toads and snakes are a great combination in stories about witches , but this does not mean they should all be housed together in some kind of "Realms of Darkness" / "Kingdom of the Night" style nocturnal house - cum- herp cave.
Dark aquariums are one of my bugbears too - SeaLife are particularly bad for this but most aquariums suffer from it to some degree - even rock pool animals are often displayed in (presumably perpetual) semi-darkness for no particular reason (saving on the lighting bills?).
You know, this exhibit could be a lot better if it had tall plexiglass walls up to the ceiling, allowing a greater depth. It can't be that hard to do, right?
