The Shedd Aquarium — Case Study
A Quiet World Beneath the Waves.
A historic aquarium reimagines its first impression
Shedd Aquarium’s ambitious entry renovation sought to replace a confusing, low-ceilinged corridor with an inviting, inclusive arrival sequence. The new south entrance leads visitors into a central hallway that serves as a circulation spine, guiding them toward Shedd’s most popular galleries, including the shark exhibit and Oceanarium. For Shedd and Valerio Dewalt Train, the Aquarium’s longtime architecture partner, the goal was a hallway that brought clarity, calm, and hospitality to one of Chicago’s busiest and most beloved cultural destinations.
Encouraging quiet movement in a complex, historic space
The team unified around a single idea: flow — of water, animals, and people. To realize it, they had to work within a 100-year-old building marked by irregular dimensions, low ceilings, and dense mechanical infrastructure. Any ceiling solution needed to manage acoustics, integrate lighting and HVAC, withstand humidity and leaks, allow frequent access for maintenance, and reinforce the wave motif carried through the building’s new graphics and terrazzo floor. The challenge: create a ceiling that feels organic and directional while navigating practical constraints. Given the complexity of the brief, VDT turned to Turf, a trusted partner on numerous past projects, to bring their concept to life.
Customizing Swell to express flow with accessible, modular precision
Turf collaborated closely with VDT over six months of prototyping, VR reviews, and field verification using a Leica laser scanner. The team selected Swell for its shallow depth, acoustic absorption, recycled content, and durability — then customized it to achieve the fluid motion VDT envisioned. In the process, Turf created new tile types that allowed undulation to span different lengths, giving the appearance of a parametric system while preserving repeatability. Design coordination placed each tile around lighting fixtures and mechanicals, and a hybrid mounting strategy incorporated torsion-spring panels for easy access. Despite its complexity, the solution installs like a standard Turf system and meets Shedd’s strict operational needs.
"We really envisioned it being this gracious, welcoming space as you've come through our ticketing and security."
Julian Glomb, Creative Director, Shedd Aquarium
"The ceiling helps work from wayfinding as well. It encourages people to travel that direction."
Sherry Andrews, Principal, Valerio Dewalt Train
"I grew up as a marine biology fan as a child going to the Baltimore Aquarium back in DC when I grew up. All my stuffed animals were fish growing up, so my manager knew that it would be a passion project for me. So that's really cool. I put a lot of happy work into it."
Noah Taylor, Architectural Product Designer, Turf Design
A breathtaking welcome that’s guest-loved, and penguin-approved
On opening day, Shedd’s penguins were the first to inspect the new hallway. They waddled through, paused, and looked straight up at the ceiling — an unscripted moment that delighted everyone on site. The finished hallway now intuitively guides visitors toward major exhibits, using the ceiling’s movement as subtle wayfinding. Acoustically, it creates an immediate hush — turning a once-loud transition zone into a calm moment of pause. Staff describe it as a “living room” for guests, a place to gather before exploring the aquarium. The system has already proven durable through leaks and heavy use, with tiles easily removed or replaced. For Shedd, the project brings clarity and dignity to the visitor journey; for Turf, it exemplifies how custom design, technical coordination, and fabrication can translate an architect’s vision into reality.