Malta National Aquarium: Interior Performance Appraisal

YAKUZA YAKUZA

EVD 2503 Performance of Interior Spaces Assignment: Malta National Aquarium Thomas Mifsud Adam Micallef David Mifsud Andrea Saliba

EVD2503 Performance of Interior Spaces Assignment: Building Interior Performance Appraisal Site: Malta National Aquarium, Qawra Thomas Mifsud Adam Micallef David Mifsud Andrea Saliba

Contents Part I Introduction....................................................................4 Site Location..................................................................6 The Aquarium................................................................10 Structure and Materials.................................................15 Part II Lighting..........................................................................19 Acoustics........................................................................23 Thermal Environment......................................................27 Miscellaneous ................................................................30 Part III Analysis and Conclusion................................................32 References.....................................................................33

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Introduction The building on which this study is based on is the Malta National Aquarium, located in Qawra, Malta. It is the central element of a project consisting of a public aquarium, a public garden, a public landscaped belvedere on the promenade, a reef club, merchandise outlet, a tourist information kiosk and a car park, occupying a total area of approximately 20,000 square metres. The entire project cost â‚Ź15.6 million, with the works starting in November 2011 and lasting about 16 months. The aquarium was opened in August 2013 and officially inaugurated later that year.

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Site Location The site is situated at Qawra point, facing the sea in the north west direction and Triq it-Trunċiera to its south west, which is the main road passing through Qawra and Bugibba, although high volumes of traffic are rare in this specific section of the road. A bus stop is located right in front of the site, with numerous bus routes passing through the area.

The area to the south of the site is a residential area, although the plots adjacent to the road have not yet been developed. The building housing the Malta National Aquarium occupies an area of approximately 2500 square metres, and is divided in two floors; the ground floor consists of a restaurant and a gift shop, and the basement level is comprised of the aquarium and its facilities.

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The entrance to the building is located at the south eastern side, facing away from the seafront. The concept for the exterior dome of the building was inspired by the perfection of nature itself, specifically imitating the shape of a starfish.

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The Aquarium Malta’s national aquarium in total consists of twenty-six display tanks, each featuring different types of fish present in the Mediterranean seas and historical artefacts present in Malta’s seas. These tanks have been split up into five different zones. Each zone consists of different themes based upon characteristics of the Maltese Islands; the harbour and different shores, and a zone dedicated to the tropical oceans. Apart from sea life, in 2015, the Aquarium expanded and included a zone for reptiles and amphibians. One of main features present in the Aquarium is the main tank. It houses fish from the Indian Ocean, including two shark species. The tank is the biggest one present, having an approximate diameter of about twelve metres. All visitors would have the chance to pass through this tank through a water tunnel.

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The Aquarium has multiple other features including a class room, interpretation services, touch pools, temporary exhibition space, veterinary and quarantine facilities. Apart from having the Aquarium as a site of attraction, it also serves educational purposes. In fact, The Aquarium has teamed up with Birdlife, in order to exhibit research boards and showcase educational research on seabirds. Furthermore, Malta National Aquarium has teamed up with multiple non-government organisations, including Sharklab, Malta Aquarist Society, Birdlife, and more, to spread awareness regarding the safeguarding of the Marine Environment. Several educational events and local clean ups have been held in collaboration with NGOs and volunteers, further enriching public awareness about the importance of taking care of and keeping the seas clean.

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Structure and Materials The national aquarium is characterised by its timber dome structure which provides an external face representative of the sites surroundings. The principle structure of the dome is made from curved laminated beam which are joined together by steel nodes which withhold a secondary internal structure made up of smaller glulam-beams, which supports the overall external cladding of the structure. The roof was designed with the most suitable roofing system to achieve insulation, waterproofing, drainage system and an overall aesthetically pleasing cladded white finish. The circular facade encasing the building compromises of a series of large glass panes forming a curtain wall from ground level up to the perimeter of the dome structure.

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The aquarium itself is located in an underground building located below the promenade level and completely hidden below the iconic ‘starfish’ structure canopying the aquarium below. Glulam-beams which consist of glued laminated timber, are structural elements made up of a number of layers of dimensioned lumber, which are bonded together with durable and moisture-resistant structural adhesive. This material is a form of structurally engineered wood, and although having a much lower embodied energy than steel or concrete, the laminating process allows the timber beams to be used for much longer spans, withstand heavier loads and structurally form complex shapes. This makes it an ideal lightweight material for a nonload bearing building envelope such as the dome of the national aquarium.

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Lux Level Measurements Location

Reading

A B C D E F

152 18 4 2 84 28

Ambience Lights Pathway Lighting Emergency Flood Light 400W 60W Filament Bulbs UV Tubes Aquarium Lighting

C B

D F E A

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Part II: Lighting In a building such as a public aquarium, the most stimulated sense is that of sight. In this case, lighting is undoubtedly a key factor in the design of the spaces and of the environment. Furthermore, buildings do not only require the adequate environment for its visitors, but just as importantly, for the fauna and flora inhabiting the tanks. Specific plant species require varying levels of light, so the lighting of each tank had to be specifically chosen according to the species.

The fact that the aquarium is situated underground can be seen as a setback in terms of energy performance, since all the light has to be artificially produced. This, however, provides better control over the specific lighting requirements for each individual tank. In this way, lighting efficiency can be maximised through careful light planning according to the requirements.

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Types of Light Fixtures Present Fixture Ambience Spot Lights (Red) Pathway Spotlights Aquarium Flood Lighting LED Floodlighting Filament Bulb Lighting (Buffer Zone) Emergency Flood Lights UV Tubes

Quantity

Power Rating

Cumulative Power

9

150W

1350W

4

150W

600W

6

350-500W

2400W

3 3

50W 60W

150W 180W

4

400W

1600W

2

N/A

N/A

Besides the sensory and aesthetic light fixtures present, the aquarium also requires the use of light fixtures which serve solely the function of the aquarium. This can be exemplified by the presence of hanging UV light tubes which are necessary to regulate bacteria and algae present in the tanks.

The six points chosen for the lux level measurements captured all the different lighting situations in the space. These were a mix of transitional spaces where people walk through, exhibit spaces as well as non-interactive spaces.

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Upon analysing the lighting fixtures present, it could be noticed that the spaces uses a mixture of both incandescent lighting as well as LED lighting. It may be noted that even though the LED lighting has a much lower power rating, it still provides a comparable level of illumination to that of the incandescent lighting. This further maximises the lighting efficiency of the space. The use of incandescent light can’t be completely ruled out since the lighting these fixtures produce is necessary for the aesthetic ambience design of the space.

Area of Space = Averege Lux = 48Lux Total Cumulative Power fom Light fixtures = 4.68kW Active Hours/ Day = 8hrs, 7 Days a Week Luminous Flux = (Average Lux) x (Area) = 48Lux x (185m2) = 8880Lm Energy consumed per day = 8hrs x (Cumulative Power) = (8hrs) x (4680W) = 37.44kWh per day Energy Consumed/ Year = (37.44kWh) x ( 365 days) = 13,665.6kWh/annum Energy per m2 /Annum = 13,665.65kWh(PA) / (185m2) = 73kWh/m2 Annum

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C B

D F E A

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Part II: Acoustics When it comes to the design of a building, especially a public space such as the National Aquarium, it is important that acoustic design is taken into consideration in the early stages of the design process. For acoustic design the main goal is to keep the background noise levels low enough to be able to understand speech or hear any other sound projections such as music or feature sounds.

In the case of the National Aquarium and the area taken into consideration for this acoustic analysis it is important to consider the main function of the given space. Being an exhibition space with guided tours, sound levels must be low enough to understand speech while still creating a specific acoustic environment appropriate for the sea-world theme through the use of a sound system.

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When planning to provide acceptable sound pressure levels, this must be done across a range of frequencies that take into account all the different kinds of sounds in the chosen environment. This takes into account all background noise levels such caused by HVAC equipment, electronic equipment and external noise among others. Therefore the background noise taken is thought of as a general hum within the space.

The area being investigated houses four large open top aquariums which enclose a path that leads from one display to another. The majority of the building’s area is a large open plan room which is sectioned off into a walkthrough exhibition through the use of limestone walls and stone cladded rock face feature walls.

Such surroundings, including the large masses of water, affect the sound levels according to each material’s unique sound absorption coefficient.

Throughout the exhibition space one will find various differently themed areas which are sectioned off from each other with buffer zones. This is done so as not to have interference between distinct sounds being played at different points of the aquarium.

The six points chosen for the sound pressure level readings captured all the different acoustic situations in the space. These were a mix of transitional spaces where people walk through, exhibit spaces, as well as non-interactive spaces. Such readings varied due to their relative positions to the speakers which were spread along the exhibition space, as well as the variation in surrounding walls and more enclosed spaces.

Location

Reading A

Reading B

Avg. Reading

Avg SPL

A B C D E F

78dB 75dB 64dB 71dB 76dB 65dB

75dB 74dB 70dB 75dB 71dB 70dB

76.5dB 74.5dB 67dB 73dB 73.5dB 67.5dB

72dB

Sound Pressure Level Readings Averaged of 30s

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Area A

Area B

Area C

Area D

Area E

Area F

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Part II: Thermal Environment Since the area under analysis is situated underground, a good amount of attention had to be given to the mechanical ventilation system installed.

Apart from having this as a key factor considered, multiple associated issues with the ventilation system must be taken into consideration such as heat loads within the air and also from the water tanks, excess humidity, odours and contaminants which may be present throughout the space.

Finally, the aim is to have a continuous change in the air supplied together with a good thermal environment.

The aquarium space relies upon a built up mechanical ventilation system, this being a ‘Supply Ventilation System.’ Such a system works by extracting fresh air though an air ‘intake’ vent and distributing it through several air duct systems circulating the fresh air through the different spaces.

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Thus, the underground aquarium relies upon outside air intake connected to a main return air duct, allowing heating and cooling system ducts to distribute the same air supply. Such a system is beneficial as the return air duct can air condition or dehumidify the outdoor air before being introduced into the space.

Unfortunately, if the ventilation system is badly controlled or faults arise within it, multiple errors may end up affecting and influencing the overall aquarium space.

As stated previously, having the aquarium working with a supply ventilated system, a continuous supply of air would be introduced into the building, ending up having the possibility of the underground space becoming slightly pressurised. This would lead to create moisture within the space. This moisture, would be the effect of condensation, when warm air touches cold surfaces like some water tanks surfaces, ending up fogging the glass of the aquarium tanks.

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In addition, the risk of pressurisation is further increased due to the risk of having overheating. The chance of having the space overheated due to bad air conditioning of outdoor air intake combined with ambient space temperature rise due to the thermal heat of the aquarium water tanks may result in cumulative thermal discomfort.

In conclusion, the use of a mechanically ventilated system has multiple beneficial uses due to the aspect of control. Since it is mechanical, it all depends upon the control of its use to target for good indoor air quality and improved thermal comfort space.

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Part II: Miscellaneous Factors affecting Energy Performance The national aquarium is characterised by its timber dome structure which provides an external face representative of the sites surroundings. The principle structure of the dome is made from curved laminated beam which are joined together by steel nodes which withhold a secondary internal structure made up of smaller glulam-beams, which supports the overall external cladding of the structure. The roof was designed with the most suitable roofing system to achieve insulation, waterproofing, drainage system and an overall aesthetically pleasing cladded white finish. The circular facade encasing the building compromises of a series of large glass panes forming a curtain wall from ground level up to the perimeter of the dome structure.

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Roof Membrane: The slanted roofing of Malta’s National Aquarium is one of its featuring characteristics and it has been protected with thin synthetic waterproofing membrane. The solar reflectance index of the membrane lets the surface reflect the incidental sun rays and creates a “cool-roof” solution, with a lower air-conditioning request to cool the internal environment.

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Analysis Comparing the measurements that were obtained in this study to standard light and sound levels, it can be concluded that both the luminous flux and the sound pressure levels are within acceptable limits of the standard requirements for this building typology. With regards to light, the average luminous flux obtained is 48 lx, which is within the 20-50 lx range which is ideal for public spaces with dark surroundings. At this level, all the surroundings, although relatively dark, are clearly visible, with the aquarium tanks being more brightly lit.

The lighting fixtures’ energy consumption of the space per square metre per year is 73 kWh/m2annum. When compared to the average public space energy consumption (for lighting) 54kWh/m2annum, it can be concluded that the lighting perofmance of the aquarium space is not the most efficient. This is due to the ambient lighting not making full use of LED technology to achieve the desired atmosphere.

In terms of acoustic performance, the average sound pressure level of the chosen area at a time when the aquarium is not busy is 72 dB. For this building typology, the Noise Rating Curve used is NR35. The maximum sound pressure level for this curve is at the lower frequencies, going up to 79 dB at 31.5 Hz. This means that this space, has an acceptable yet relatively high sound pressure level for this building typology, and can be improved.

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References 1.

Malta National Aquarium - Chevron Holidays. (2018). Chevron.co.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2017, from https://www.chevron.co.uk/exploremalta/thingstodo/malta-national-aquarium 2.

Aquamarine - Malta National Aquarium. Aquamarine Projects. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://aquamarineprojects.com/projects/malta-nationalaquarium.html 3.

Aquarium design specialist - Mike Murphy architectural designer. underwater tunnel, large aquariums. (2007). Mjmurphy.co.nz. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://www.mjmurphy.co.nz/projects/aquariumstunnels/tabid/298/default.aspx#a 4 Malta National Aquarium. Tourism.gov.mt. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from https://tourism.gov.mt/en/attractions/Pages/Malta-National-Aquarium.aspx 5.

Malta National Aquarium - Experience Malta’s Underwater Life. (2018).

Malta National Aquarium. Retrieved 14 December 2017, from https://www.aquarium.com.mt/

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