INSIGHTS

2021.03.23

R&D DISCUSSION Vol. 31

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 2]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION TOP

Top image: New jellyfish area "Jellyfish Sky" (2020)

Q: The moment you step out of the elevator on the 10th floor, you are instantly drawn into the world of "Oasis in the Sky," which continues to evolve. How do you get ideas for new exhibits?

A: Sometimes the scenery I saw when I dived into the ocean gives me a hint. The gradational ocean colors of the Sunshine Lagoon and the sea lions looking up at the Sunshine Aqua Ring represent some of the underwater world I experienced. The approach space to the Sky Oasis is designed to be a world enveloped in the refreshing sound of a waterfall and lush greenery. In fact, we asked a sound creator to join us halfway through this project, and he drew a "map" for the sound plan [Figure 1]. I wrote down my image of what kind of natural environment this zone is, what kind of insects and birds you can hear, what kind of flowers are blooming, etc. This was realized in the world's first sound field environment that combines 3D sound and a high-resolution system, and as you walk along the route, you can hear various natural sounds that change depending on the location. When you approach the large waterfall behind the Penguins in the Grassland, you hear a roaring sound, but in fact, the sound is layered with this sound system, so the actual amount of water is very small (laughs).

In addition, even though the plantings were on the rooftop and it was not possible to bring in soil deep enough, they stuck to the real thing and aimed to create a three-dimensional garden as much as possible. The "Otters' Waterside" exhibit, located next to the penguin exhibit, shows the ecology of Asian small-clawed otters that live in mountain streams, and recreates vegetation close to nature. The otters wipe their bodies with grass and nibble at it. It's a lively corner, always running around. On the other hand, it's hard for the staff, who also have to take care of the plants. Naturally, the back yard of this aquarium is small, and it must be cramped every day to clean the tanks and feed the animals, but what's amazing is that not a single person complains. Without their passion to "entertain the visitors" and "let the creatures see them," these exhibits might not have been realized.

Oasis in the Sky Chapter 2 "Penguins in the Grassland" (2017)
[Figure 1] "Oasis in the Sky" map (provided by Gen Nakamura)

Q: Could you tell us about your latest project, the new jellyfish area "Kurage Kuukan," which opened in the summer of 2020?

A: In order to further develop "Oasis in the Sky", we have undertaken to expand the jellyfish exhibit that was originally in the indoor area. Nowadays, all aquariums are in the midst of a jellyfish boom, but jellyfish are the exhibit that appeals to adults who are looking for healing. It all depends on how we create that floating, extraordinary feeling. "Jellyfish Panorama", which is one of the largest jellyfish tanks in Japan with a width of 14m, has a depth of only about 1m. A vertically rotating water current is created in it, and about 1,500 moon jellyfish are floated, with only the jellyfish in the foreground being lit, so that nothing other than the jellyfish is visible. The lighting in the viewing space is also quite subdued, and the jellyfish are reflected on the mirrors installed above and below the tank, creating a floating feeling as if countless jellyfish are floating in the darkness, as if they are drifting gently through space. I wanted to make this tank like the Milky Way and extend "Oasis in the Sky" into space. The illusion of being enveloped in jellyfish is an effect created by the darkness, in addition to the large, arcing panoramic tank. At a movie theater, the screen feels small before the lights go out, but once the movie starts, it appears large. This is a sort of jellyfish theater space that makes use of this effect. This is also a "water mass" that allows you to experience an overwhelming sense of immersion in the underwater world.

Kurage Sky Feeling "Jellyfish Panorama" "Jellyfish Screen" (2020)

Q: When you sit on the sofa in the viewing area, you feel as if you are diving into the silent ocean at night.

A: Jellyfish can also be written as "kurage" in kanji. We created a round window in the ceiling of the viewing space, filled it with water, and let in blue light to create a swaying effect, creating a fantastic underwater world with moonlight streaming in. Also, if the lighting hits the wall behind the tank itself, it will lose the sense of depth and the pitch blackness of space, so we spent a lot of time adjusting the lighting. We also had to consider the conflict with the backyard, and due to ceiling height restrictions, not all maintenance of the tanks in the jellyfish area can be done efficiently from above. This exhibition was only possible thanks to the cooperation of the staff.

What is needed for an exhibition is the ability to understand the subject and the ability to express it. For example, painters develop their powers of observation while also studying techniques such as brushwork. I imagine myself as an aquarium painter and think about how to express it each time. For example, I not only adjust the placement of the two artificial rocks placed in front and behind so that they do not appear to overlap, but also use other ingenuity such as shining light between them to create a three-dimensional effect. Also, when water is added, the light is diffused, so the color of the artificial rocks appears lighter than it actually is, giving it a cheap impression. Therefore, I use dark colors and paint black paint on the areas I want to be in shadow to create a three-dimensional effect. As a final touch, I paint the entire piece with blue paint to express the blue reflection of the sea. This is because the blue color of the sea does not appear unless the water is deep enough.

In addition, in order to create a sense of depth by adding a gradation to the background wall, initially I thought of creating a "horizon space" and lighting it from below. The back wall was made of acrylic boards, with blue and milky white sheets layered on the back. Fluorescent lights were shone on them to make them stand out blue and create a sense of depth in the sea. At that time, it was common to use inexpensive fluorescent lights that radiate light in all directions to light aquariums from above. Eventually, spot lights that emitted strong, rectilinear light even underwater appeared, and little by little, it became possible to express the underwater world woven with glittering light and shadow. However, in the beginning, this lighting also had a warm color, and it was difficult to adjust it. Nowadays, LED light sources are mainstream and the range of expression has expanded, but you can't know how various elements such as the subtle color and characteristics of the paint will look when you finally put water in it until you actually try it. It's a repeated process of making one aquarium, testing it, and applying it to the next aquarium.

Go back to Part 1: Turning aquariums into "media" with a customer-centric approach

PROFILE

Aquarium Producer

Hajime Nakamura

Nakamura Hajime

Born in Mie Prefecture in 1956. After graduating from Seijo University (majoring in marketing), he joined Toba Aquarium. He worked as a zookeeper, then head of the planning department, before becoming deputy director and successfully renovating Toba Aquarium. In 2002, he left Toba Aquarium to become Japan's first "aquarium producer," and has been involved in the renovation of numerous aquariums, including Enoshima Aquarium (Kanagawa), Sunshine Aquarium (Tokyo), Kita no Daichi Aquarium/Yama no Aquarium (Hokkaido), and Mariho Aquarium (Hiroshima), as well as writing numerous books about aquariums. He is also an advisor for the revitalization of tourist destinations nationwide, and serves as chairman of the Japan Barrier-Free Tourism Organization and the Ise-Shima Barrier-Free Tour Center.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.56

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.55

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.54

Mind change――
Aiming to become a company that will develop into the future [Part 1]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.53

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.52

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.51

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 1]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.50

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.49

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.48

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 1]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.47

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 2]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.46

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 1]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol45

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 2]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.44

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 1]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.43

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.42

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.41

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 1]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.40

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 2]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.39

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 1]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.38

Japan's Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 [Part 2]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.37

Japan's strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 [Part 1]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.36

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 2]

Yasushi Takeuchi Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd. (2022-)

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.35

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 1]

Yasushi Takeuchi, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.34

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 2]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.33

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 1]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.32

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Turning aquariums into "media" through a customer-centric approach

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.31

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 2]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.30

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 1]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.29

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era Vol.2 [Part 2]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.28

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era vol.2 [Part 1]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.27

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 2]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.26

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 1]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.25

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.24

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.23

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 1]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.22

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 2]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.21

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 1]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.20

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.19

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.18

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 1]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.17

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 2]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.16

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 1]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.15

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 2]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.14

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 1]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.13

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 2]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.12

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 1]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.11

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.10

A workplace that fosters innovation
If the environment changes, the way you work will change [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.09

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 1]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.08

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 2]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.07

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 1]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.06

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 2]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.05

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 1]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.04

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 2]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.03

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 1]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.02

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 2]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.01

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 1]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation
R&D TOP

Update : 2018.09.21

Tags

PAGE TOP