OCEANARIUM IN KOCHI

An Oceanarium can be a marine mammal park as well as a large scale aquarium

presenting an ocean habitat with marine life. Basically, an oceanarium is an establishment
where a collection of living aquatic animals and plants are exhibited or studied.It serves as a
center for public entertainment and education and scientific study oceanariums are located in
coastal areas.

SCOPE
India is surrounded by sea on three sides and has a large coastline on the southern side
in the Arabian sea. Rich in marine life as well as countless marine species. Marine life is one of
the most important resource of the country and there is an increasing demand for the
development and conservation of our marine wealth. The awareness of the vast ocean and its
potentials is something that most of the people who live in a country with one of the biggest
coastline don’t have proper knowledge about.
India till date doesn't have a single Oceanarium despite all the resources available. Not
even one aquarium has been expanded to a large scale housing marine mammals like sharks,
sea otters, etc. This being the first one it’s kind would be beneficial to the people as well the
country economically and globally.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

● Public oceanarium serves the purpose of recreation as well as education
● It provides a platform for education through entertainment.
● Human beings believe in the theory of out of sight out of mind providing a window
towards the water world will somehow create a soft corner for the species living there
and will motivate us not to harm their habitat.
● For researchers and research institutes, it provides vast research possibilities, which is
not only beneficial for them but also helps provide conservation possibilities.

ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION
The design proposal,symbolically and functionally seeks to reconnect the ocean life
through the spaces inside and thus making a positive contribution in reviving the place which
will house the facility. It would seek to communicate a meaningful and relevant narrative to its
visitors through the exhibits and shows that would be portrayed inside the facility. It would
attract a large number of visitors and in turn change the tourism phase of that area not only on a
national scale but also to an international scale.
Oceanariums are not just mere rectangular structures with rectangular tanks placed one
after another. They hold much more importance than that - it is about creating a structure with
careful planning so that the visitors are voluntarily in relation with the surroundings and their
planning would narrate a story to them instead of just seeing monotonous tank exhibits placed
in a single line. The oceanarium is not less than a museum but instead of lifeless exhibits there
are living organisms who have a much earlier existence than us.
Architecture is not related only to the interior part. The exterior architecture plays an
important part in the design factor because the external architecture of the facility will give an
identity to the structure and will be symbolized as ‘Oceanarium’. Through architecture
Oceanarium will be giving identity to the place and the function it serves and will put it on a
global map.

CASE STUDIES
1. Shanghai Oceanarium, China
 2. The lost chambers aquarium, Dubai
3. Antalya aquarium, Turkey

PROJECT SITE
As part of promoting ‘fisheries tourism’, Kerala Government has initiated a proposal to
set up a Rs350 crore Oceanarium here, the country’s first, to enable a thrilling experience for
people and researchers to study marine species, including large ones like whales and sharks,
and habitat at a closer level.Apart from promoting tourism, the proposed project is envisaged to
provide facilities for propagating awareness about marine environment and biodiversity.