CINCINNATI – When Newport Aquarium, located just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to overhaul and renovate its interactive Dive Theater, they called upon the design experts at Full Spectrum, LLC to bring their vision to life. The Newport Aquarium Theater, a 30 ft x 48 ft facility with a 23 ft high ceiling, featured underwater dive-based shows. Its central focal point is one of the largest water tanks in the entire aquarium, with a visible viewing area that measures just under 17 ft x 9 ft.
More details from Full Spectrum (www.fullspecllc.com):
The theater’s previous pirate theme was overhauled with a new design concept and creative team to make the new space a reality. The desire was to create a showcase for the animal life in a whole new light, combining education and entertainment. A second goal was to create a space that would be adaptable and versatile for special event capabilities.
To refocus attention onto the immense water tank, the Newport Aquarium team approached Transformit, a Maine-based firm specializing in Fabric Architecture. Their involvement resulted in the design of a lightweight fabric mesh, crafted into a stylized crashing wave “splash” design that flanks the tank and serves as a new visual backdrop. Full Spectrum was called in to bring the fabric design to life. They specified programmable color-changing LED lighting.
They were also tasked with redesigning the other lighting and audio-visual elements of the space, including the inclusion of touch screens and associated software, giving the aquarium the ability to custom program the control system interface.
For the tank and its fabric sculpture, a combination of color-changing LED fixtures and moving lights was installed. The programmable moving lights were included to add additional flexibility to create movement and to project complex patterns onto the custom-made “splash” fabric installed around the tank, as well as to further accentuate and accent the surrounding space.
Finally, a 47-inch LED display was installed at the front of the theater to serve as a marquee. The display is controlled via a signage player that can be easily updated over the aquarium’s local network.
Installed in January 2013, the newly renovated space was christened The Shark Ray Bay Theater. Full Spectrum was responsible for the turnkey lighting and audio design, specification, product procurement, installation, programming, commissioning, and ongoing service and support for the facility. The final design reduced energy consumption for the Newport Aquarium by 75 percent compared to the previously installed lighting equipment.
Additionally, the upgrades and enhancements now enable the Newport Aquarium to create different moods and atmospheres through the diversity of lighting and audio options, adding further value to their various special events, including the daily dive shows, animal feedings, corporate parties, weddings, prom night festivities, dinner parties, and more.
