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Bahrain Aquarium / 2019 / Project Detail

Bahrain Aquarium

Large-format sculpted rock for the Middle East's largest cylindrical aquarium.

Overview

Large-format sculpted rock formations, cast and finished for the Middle East's largest cylindrical aquarium, at the Mall of Dilmunia.

Place
Manama, Bahrain
Company
Pangea Rocks
Role
Master in Artificial Rock Work
Year
2019
Project Brief

Mall of Dilmunia: Aquarium, Manama, Bahrain.

  • Largest
    Cylindrical aquarium, Middle East
  • 2019
    Built
The Challenge

Make it read as real

A aquarium has to read as natural rock, reef or carved stone up close, and still meet the structure, safety and schedule demands of a live build.

The Solution

Shaped and finished by hand

Scope on this project: cylinder tank, cast rock and finish. Delivered as Master in Artificial Rock Work with Pangea Rocks.

The Outcome

A finished aquarium at Bahrain Aquarium, Manama, Bahrain.

Key Features

01

Cylinder Tank

Rockwork made to fit the curve of a cylindrical aquarium.

02

Cast Rock

Rock panels cast from moulds and assembled into larger formations.

03

Finish

The final surface work: texture, colour and sealing.

Visual Gallery

11 photos

More from the build

Credit Finished shot via Blooloop.

Project Film

Process

Typical build sequence for themed rockwork

  1. Design

    Forms, levels and colour references agreed from the concept or 3D design before work starts.

  2. Armature

    Steel bent and fixed to carry the final shape, with mesh tied over it as the base for the surface.

  3. Shotcrete

    Sprayed concrete built up over the mesh in layers to form the rock shell.

  4. Carving

    Texture, strata and cracks cut by hand while the surface is still workable.

  5. Paint

    Base coats, washes and dry brushing, worked until the surface reads as real.

Methods

Materials & Methods

Every build stands on its methods. These are the disciplines this project called on, from structure to final finish.

Core Layer
Foundation / Primary discipline

Cylinder Tank

Rockwork made to fit the curve of a cylindrical aquarium.

Role on siteMaster in Artificial Rock Work
Scope
03

Disciplines on this build

Year
2019

Project year

Team
PR

Pangea Rocks

  • L02
    Capability

    Cast Rock

    Rock panels cast from moulds and assembled into larger formations.

    ScopeIncluded
  • L03
    Finish

    Finish

    The final surface work: texture, colour and sealing.

    ScopeIncluded