Concordia and four other New Orleans architectural firms established the “Bienville Group,” a joint venture commissioned to design the $40 million Aquarium of the Americas and Woldenberg Riverfront Park. The project was conceived, designed and constructed in less than four years, less than any other facility of its kind in the country.
The aquarium and park stand on 16 acres of prime riverfront property and are located on the crescent of the Mississippi River, providing a link between the old historic Vieux Carre’ and the new modern Central Business District. This 110,000 square foot, three-story structure is constructed of reinforced concrete with glazed ceramic brick. The design of the aquarium was strongly influenced by the need to accommodate entire habitats that give visitors a view of nature both above and below water.
