A Century in the Making: Shedd Aquarium’s Historic Rotunda Reimagined as the Wonder of Water Exhibit

A Century in the Making: Shedd Aquarium’s Historic Rotunda Reimagined as the Wonder of Water Exhibit

The historic rotunda features two towering habitats with vast, vibrant aquatic environments to inspire awe and wonder about the endless ways water supports our shared world

Chicago – Shedd Aquarium’s historic rotunda space returns with a new exhibit, Wonder of Water, featuring two bustling habitats brimming with activity – one freshwater and one saltwater ecosystem. Wonder of Water sets the tone for an awe-inspiring journey into the aquatic animal world, where guests can stand at the heart of the aquarium between two distinctly rich environments to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of life beneath the water’s surface. The dynamic, diverse exhibits feature live corals, freshwater plants and a colorful array of fishes, designed to be ever-changing and in a state of growth.

“The message of this exhibit is a simple one: water is what makes the dazzling biodiversity on Earth possible. Water is a precious and finite resource,” said Sarah Hezel, vice president of design and exhibits at Shedd Aquarium. “This space transports our guests out of their lives for a moment to connect with life underwater, to spark our visitors’ curiosity and sense of wonder.”

The planted freshwater exhibit for Wonder of Water at Shedd is one of the largest in the world, featuring more than 5,000 fish swimming in dazzling schools amongst a variety of 50 lush plant species, some over 7 feet tall and growing. On the marine side, vibrant and colorful corals live, grow and thrive in colonies that come in stunning shapes and sizes with 1,500 bold and beautiful reef fishes. Side by side, guests will see the distinct differences and surprising similarities between fresh and saltwater environments.

Both habitats are living, growing and thriving ecosystems that will evolve and expand in grand and slight ways each day, meaning every visit will be unique. Each habitat is an impressive 28,110 gallons, totaling 56,220 gallons. Further, the viewing windows are more expansive in height and length than the previous exhibit in the space, making it easier than ever to come eye-to-eye with animals. Guests can walk in between the dual habitats and observe from varying vantage points around the perimeter of each to explore hidden nooks and surprising sights.

“Chicago has long been recognized a world-class destination for innovation, recreation, culture and entertainment, and Shedd Aquarium has been an integral part of our city’s story and excellence for nearly a century,” said Choose Chicago Board Chair Glenn Eden. “We are thrilled to celebrate this historic moment for Shedd – an organization that constantly reinvests both in itself and in our community and will no doubt help Chicago reach new heights in the years to come.”

Guests can find new immersive, hands-on opportunities to commune with nature and explore the rotunda space to rediscover the astounding architecture and historical details. Periscopes offer a fish-eyed view of hidden nooks within the habitats, bringing guests closer to marvel at the mesmerizing behaviors and beauty found in nature.

The newly designed habitat has also been built to guide guests’ eyes upward to encourage a greater appreciation of the space. The Beaux Arts style crown moldings, intricate marble features and the aquatic-themed original Sterling Bronze Company clock have been mindfully restored and protected to honor the history of the rotunda.

Enhancing the sense of wonder, an audio composition with three distinct spatial components sets the tone of the room, dramatizing the visitor’s arrival and immersion between the two volumes of water. By facilitating a transition from a terrestrial to an underwater experience, this soundscape elevates the guests’ journey ahead into the world of water.

Additionally, 43 tactile models provide hands-on learning about the various species within rivers and reefs. Informative chats and programming enhance the experience in the rotunda welcoming guests of all ages to engage their senses while exploring the aquatic world. One opportunity will be a water tasting offered daily to experience various salinity levels. Bilingual signage is available throughout the exhibit as well, ensuring accessible aquatic awareness to more audiences.

Over the near-century history of the aquarium, this rotunda space has served as the first exhibit guests see. First, in 1930, it opened as a 40-foot-diameter rock garden and sunken tropical pool filled with native fishes, turtles and frogs, and then in 1971, it was reimagined and transformed into a 90,000-gallon reef with tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. Now, in its latest evolution, guests uncover both freshwater and saltwater biodiversity in one space and discover the unique colors, shapes, forms and biological adaptations of aquatic life that rely on the most vital resource on our blue planet – water.

As Shedd prepares for the ambitious Centennial Commitment that prepare for the next 100 years of looking nature in the eye, the aquarium continues progress on these transformations and restorations. While this space opens, two galleries have temporarily closed to continue the ongoing Experience Evolution and begin reimagining the Caribbean reef habitat as an expansive tunnel that provides a divers-eye view of a bustling underwater community.

Transformational support for Shedd’s Centennial Commitment has been provided by The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation, the Mansueto Foundation, the Morgridge Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Byron Smith and Builders Initiative. Lead contributions have also been generously provided by the Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keiser Donor Advised Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation, Anna and Bob Livingston, The Reed Family Foundation and The Regenstein Foundation.

Lead project partners on the aquarium’s transformation and restoration include architect Valerio Dewalt Train, Chicago-based general contractor partners Pepper/BMI Construction LLC, project manager JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), exhibit design partner Thinc Design, inclusive museum design and accessibility partner Institute for Human Centered Design, diversity, equity and inclusion partner Trinal Inc. and more.

For more information about Wonder of Water, visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

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