The renovated ARTIS Aquarium is not just about viewing fish and other aquatic animals. The revamped attraction is designed as a total experience in which the living collection, historic architecture, art, education, and interactive installations together tell the story of water.
Design agency Kossmanndejong collaborated with ARTIS on the transformation of the monumental aquarium building, which is once again welcoming visitors following a large-scale renovation. While the aquarium was known for years primarily as a place to view underwater worlds, it is now designed as a journey of discovery in which visitors experience the connection between water and all life on Earth.
“After Micropia and the Groote Museum, it was a tremendous honor to also be able to take on this unique 19th-century temple of science and water,” says Michel de Vaan, designer at Kossmanndejong. “But also a huge responsibility. For the aquarium in particular is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Amsterdammers. We wanted to return this beloved place to the city in a beautiful form.”
The common thread: water is life
The central idea behind The New Aquarium is that water forms the basis of all life. Based on this premise, Kossmanndejong designed a route in which various habitats are combined with stories, artworks, and interactive elements. During their visit, visitors embark on a journey through diverse worlds. For instance, they can descend into the deep sea and assemble their own virtual submarine to go on an expedition. The well-known depiction of the Amsterdam canals also takes on a new role: visitors discover that extraordinary nature is not only found far away, but also close to home.
From wonder to action
The New Aquarium aims not only to amaze visitors but also to inspire them to action. Major ecological challenges have therefore been translated into impressive spatial metaphors and thought-provoking dilemmas. The exhibition demonstrates the extent of human influence on water and ecosystems. One of the installations consists of thousands of water bottles that collectively symbolize the hidden daily water consumption behind products and choices people make. Visitors are also challenged, through interactive elements, to reflect on themes such as sustainable fisheries and the way we manage natural resources.
According to Kossmanndejong, the renovation was a special commission due to the historical significance of the building. For many Amsterdammers, the aquarium is a place of memories and emotional value. The designers therefore wanted not only to create a modern visitor experience but also to give this familiar place new meaning for the city.
See also the message we posted earlier about the reopening of the aquarium.