A Joint Venture with AP Construction. This project consisted of three separate additions and one interior renovation constructed around a fully operational aquarium open to the public 365 days a year. The scope of work included a 12,000 SF 4-D theater addition, a 9,000 SF live fish exhibit addition, a 12,000 SF live seal exhibit, and a 4,000 SF renovation for a Meerkat exhibit. Also included were a concession stand, saltwater tanks for seals and indigenous fish, a life support system for the tanks, offices, a gift shop, holding tanks, seal the surgical room, and new MEP systems. The site work included the relocation of the 54” municipal sewer system and storm piping, micro piles, a new parking lot, and an entrance.
Excellent project management kept the Maritime Aquarium open during the 22 months of the build with no disruption of aquatic life support systems during any phase of construction, without any hazards to the marine life, relying on Lean techniques and BIM modeling to preclude problems and maintain momentum.
Given the uncommon hurdles the marshy site imposed on site and foundation work, an innovative rethinking of methods and approaches enabled construction in a very compact, regulated, and demanding site with soils unsuited to the work. BIM modeling to a 0.25-inch tolerance led to the picture-perfect installation of the complicated aquatic life support systems for the new seal exhibit. From the precise location of raceways for 4D effects in the IMAX theater to critical site and foundation work in confined, environmentally sensitive space, the most difficult challenges of this project were met.
Because the project came in under budget, the Maritime Aquarium was able to use the reserve to enlarge its meerkat exhibit.
This project’s accomplishments position it as one of Connecticut’s most unique and impactful projects of 2021.
