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Expo 2020 Dubai gave Water Wonders the chance to build two very different Expo 2020 Dubai aquariums for the same exhibition: a spherical live coral tank and a Kreisel jellyfish display, both commissioned by Acciona for Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion.
The pavilion largely avoided real aquatic animals and relied on sculptural, symbolic elements to make its environmental argument. These two custom tanks were the deliberate exceptions, built by Water Wonders Aquarium LLC to turn climate change and marine fragility into something visitors could see.
The Two Expo 2020 Exhibits at a Glance
| Exhibit | Spherical Live Coral Tank | Jellyfish Display Tank |
|---|---|---|
| Message | Ocean acidification and coral bleaching | Ocean warming and ecosystem imbalance |
| Size | 1,500 mm diameter | 2,200 x 800 x 2,200 mm (H) |
| Design | Spherical tank on a circular plinth | Kreisel (circular, flow-regulated) tank behind a rounded viewing window |
| Life support | Precise temperature control, protein skimmers, chemical dosing pumps | Gentle, continuous laminar current |
| Lighting | Programmable actinic LED arrays for live coral | LED lighting cycling through deep blues and neon hues |
| Full project page | Read the coral tank project | Read the jellyfish tank project |
The Terra Pavilion Brief
Acciona’s Terra pavilion used its exhibits to deliver an environmental message. For Water Wonders, that meant building tanks that were part engineering and part storytelling: each had to keep delicate marine life stable inside an exhibition hall while also carrying a clear message to visitors.
The same integrated approach – tank design, life support, lighting and installation by one team – sits behind every custom aquarium we build in our Dubai workshop.
Exhibit 1: The Live Coral Tank
A 1,500 mm spherical reef, lit by programmable actinic LEDs and supported by automated life support, placed beside models of bleached coral so visitors could see what a healthy reef stands to lose. See the full coral tank project.
Exhibit 2: The Jellyfish Tank
A custom Kreisel tank whose gentle laminar current keeps jellyfish suspended safely, lit in shifting blues and neon hues to illustrate ocean warming. See the full jellyfish tank project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Water Wonders build for Expo 2020 Dubai?
Two custom aquariums for Acciona’s Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion: a 1,500 mm spherical live coral tank and a 2,200 x 800 x 2,200 mm (H) Kreisel jellyfish display tank. Both were built by Water Wonders Aquarium LLC.
Why did a sustainability pavilion include live animals?
The pavilion largely avoided real aquatic animals and relied on sculptural and symbolic elements. These two tanks were deliberate exceptions, designed to symbolise climate change and marine fragility through ocean acidification, coral bleaching and ocean warming.
Who was the client for the Expo 2020 aquariums?
Acciona, the company behind the Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion.
Where can I read the details of each tank?
Each exhibit has its own project page: the spherical live coral tank and the jellyfish display tank.
Can Water Wonders build exhibition or museum aquariums?
Yes. Water Wonders designs and builds custom aquariums for commercial, hospitality and exhibition settings across Dubai and the UAE. Start with our custom aquarium service or the guide to commercial aquariums.
Planning an Exhibition or Showpiece Aquarium?
Water Wonders builds custom aquariums and specialist displays across Dubai and the UAE. Browse more in our portfolio.