New Aquarium Designs For Silvertown

First Designs of the new Aquarium in Silvertown Quays have been revealed this week. The aquarium, designed by architect Sir Terry Farrell, is the centrepiece of a proposed £1.5billion housing development in the Royal Docks.

Newham council has granted outline planning permission for the design that boasts an ETFE roof, to be made from the translucent material used for the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Beijing Aquatics Centre. The roof will cover the various ‘biomes’ that will house plants, fish, free-flying birds and other animals in the aquarium. The ETFE material allows natural daylight and ventilation.

The Aquarium will now be linked to the nearby Thames Barrier Park by a pedestrian bridge designed by Arup and Patel Taylor

The development will also involve the building of 5,000 new homes, of which 1,300 will be affordable, offices, a community centre, library, health centre and primary school.