Extending an aquarium’s mission outdoors

Shedd Aquarium Entry and Lakeside Pavilions

Location	Chicago, Illinois
Client	Shedd Aquarium and Valerio Dewalt Train Associates
Expertise	Resilience & Sustainability, Inclusive & Accessible Design
Size	10 acres
Completion	Ongoing

As part of the Shedd Aquarium’s 2030 Centennial Commitment, the institution is undertaking a mutli-year transformation to advance a more equitable, sustainable, and thriving future for people, communities, and aquatic life.

Shedd aquarium accessibility improvements site design group

We are leading the design of significant exterior improvements that reimagine how the aquarium’s outdoor spaces support their mission. The work includes enhancements to the main entry and surrounding green spaces, as well as the restoration of the historic terraces that have long defined the site. Together, these improvements extend Shedd’s programming outdoors, encourage nature play, and improve physical accessibility throughout the campus.

Shedd aquarium entrance night view site design group

A revitalized entry welcomes visitors into a more inclusive and interactive landscape. New pavilions frame a circular gathering space around the iconic Man with Fish fountain, complemented by enhanced gardens that support play, native plant species, pollinators, migrating birds, and organically grown produce to feed the animals.

Shedd aquarium nature play site design group

Nature play zones adjacent to the entry are designed as tactile, discovery-based landscapes that incorporate exploration, natural materials, and sensory plantings that invite children to play, climb, and connect directly with ecological systems. These spaces blur the line between exhibit and environment, reinforcing the aquarium’s mission through lived, outdoor experience.

Across four acres of surrounding green space, the landscape is reimagined to better serve all guests while strengthening ecological performance. By increasing access to nature and enhancing biodiversity at multiple scales, the project supports the long-term resilience of Chicago’s lakefront. The transformation at the Shedd Aquarium will expand and enrich spaces for visitors and the more than 25,000 animals that call Shedd home – advancing the aquarium’s goals of education, conservation, and deeper connections to nature.