CREATING THE AWARENESS OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES
Originally Conservatories were intended for sheltering citrus trees and other delicate plants during the winter. Rethinking the use of conservatories today, future visitors will enjoy visiting the Conservatory’s Freshwater Exhibit to see the native plants and wildlife. The facility will be a contemporary interpretation of the traditional solarium, extending the external water features into the indoors. Throughout the year, in the Midwest, freshwater animal habitats and various species of plants will be interpreted for our visitors in the freshwater pond, river, and stream environments, representing the Rock River Valley’s distinct ecological region. Our vision is to promote the betterment of the aquatic programs of colleges and universities in the Tri-State area, as well as the region’s elementary and secondary schools and citizens.
A knowledgeable, trained Conservatory Guide will provide you with plant knowledge, Rock River historical facts, and insight into our unique collection of plants and trees that is part of the diverse ecological system. At the base of the building, indoor event dining and exhibit spaces will be open to the street. An open stair connects the floors, encouraging local students and visitors to travel through the facilities. This building space provides extraordinary new opportunities for community venues, rentals, innovation, and community outreach. The Conservatory’s overall hardscape freshwater designs and local spectacular floral displays will be a popular rental destination for small weddings, community events, and student activities.
The Freshwater Conservatory will also be a dynamically evolving space with various animal species that live in their natural environments. The Conservatory will balance an open assembly space with quiet areas to study and reflect at your leisure during the darker winter months. In addition, the Aquarium envisions a small-scale boutique café that will serve as a destination and connection point for the Conservatory’s diverse user groups.
There is nothing more coherent than taking advantage of natural lighting as a guarantee to improve the spatial quality of the Aquarium. Creating awareness of our natural resources and the demands for reducing energy consumption has increasingly diminished the prominence of artificial lighting systems in Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums. With this goal in mind, we will adopt the environment to capture natural light. We anticipate a unique all-aluminum structure integrated into the masonry design and construction. The Conservatory will also have an automatic shade system controlled based on time, temperature, or light influence.
Creating this ‘skylit’ architecture will open up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. the freshwater program and this building confirm the Aquarium’s commitment to excellence. It also provides new opportunities for community engagement, with public programs planned for the new facility. The design will integrate a curved building form that follows the east-west sun path and engages the Rock River Facing Side.
Together with trustees, community volunteers, staff, funders, and diverse stakeholders, the Aquarium and its professional building partners will design the structure, infrastructure enrichments, and horticultural enhancements to provide a one-of-a-kind facility in the Midwest.
