Too small for its residents as well as for visitors, the old 1930s building of Danmarks Akvarium in Charlottenlund, north of Copenhagen closed at the end of October, 2012. Fans of marine life shouldn’t despair, however, as the aquarium’s new premises, out on Amager near Kastrup Airport, are five times the size and include ocean as well as tropical aquariums, both emulating real ecosystems.
Architect plan of The Blue Planet, pre-completion — Photo courtesy of 3XM
It takes time to move, but even more so when you’re a fish and your home is a tank, so the aquarium closed early to give all its residents a chance to get acquainted with their new home before The Blue Planet opens its doors to the public on March 22, 2013.
The animals and plants of the old aquarium will only take up 20 percent of The Blue Planet, however, with other residents currently being located all over the world – including Manta Rays and Hammerhead sharks from Taiwan.
The new aquarium will be one of only a select few around the world that uses live coral and will come to contain seven million liters of water, 25 times the capacity of the old one. Over more than 60 small and large aquariums, salt as well as freshwater, aquatic life will be on display in coral reefs, African lakes and even a Faroese bird cliff.
The work of architect firm 3XN, the new aquarium is expected to see 700,000 visitors annually, who will be able to walk through a 52ft glass tunnel, affording them a 360 degree view of exhibits.
The Blue Planet is ideally situated for tourists, close to Copenhagen Airport, the Øresund Bridge, city Metro line and Amager Strandpark beach.
