The “Polar Play Zone” is a subterranean layer below the Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium. The lower level submerges guest in the underwater habitats of the aquarium’s animals, with interactive views providing a rare glimpse into the daily lives of these underwater creatures. Morlights’ close collaboration with animal trainers ensured that the lighting would be responsive to the needs of both the animals and the visitor experience.
By introducing a great variety of lighting into the environment, we perfected the realism of an aquatic habitat. Not only did this make visitors feel like they were actually underwater, it also improved the livelihood of the animals in the aquarium — in one particular case, we coordinated with the animal trainers to complement color-changing LED lights in the penguin habitat that encourage reproduction. We also eliminated glare throughout the exhibit, and evenly lit murals for a more consistent visitor experience. This work was greatly appreciated by the museum staff, and received recognition for its innovation and sensitivity with a 2010 IES Illumination Award.
