Nauticus

This museum and education center houses interactive maritime science and technology exhibits. Its 120,000 square feet contain aquaria, university research labs, a wide screen theater, and the relocated Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Its waterfront was entirely rebuilt to provide mooring for a variety of working exhibit ships including research vessels, "tall" sailing ships, and a 600-foot Naval cruiser.

The owner (a semipublic authority) asked that the building be a national landmark to draw visitors and herald the Hampton Roads' preeminence in marine technology. The client also wanted to complete a waterfront greenbelt, connecting parks to the north and south.

Views of the water from downtown streets are precious. The building lifts over pedestrian site lines to the river while remaining as a visible icon at the foot of Main Street.

Crowds enter on 70-foot gangplanks over pools to a covered deck with ticket booths. Entering into a skylit "Wonder Hall," they take a sloped people mover through bulkheads to third floor exhibits. Here, a single 50,000 square foot flexible loft space allows changing exhibits and provides balcony views tying exhibits to real harbor life below.

After touring exhibits, visitors enter the 350-seat film theater. The giant movie screen (Todd A-O format, 26 feet x 51 feet) slides into a pocket upon film's completion to expose a large window overlooking the harbor. This magically ties the film's maritime themes to real harbor life. The screen is a state-of-the-art concave vacuum box to minimize projection distortions.