Architects: 3LHD
Area: 2,915 m²
Year: 2016
Photography: Miljenko Bernfest , Jure Živković
Project Team: Saša Begović, Marko Dabrović, Tatjana Grozdanić Begović, Silvije Novak, Irena Mažer Hranuelli, Vibor Granić, Deša Ucović, Ivana Šajn, Nevena Kuzmanić, Romana Ilić
Main Contractor: AB Gradnja d.o.o, ENA d.o.o., KGH d.o.o.
Electrical Engineering: Projekting 1970 / Erol Čičić, Antonio Praničević
Structural Engineering: Palijan d.o.o. / Ivan Palijan, Siniša Lulić
Landscape Architects: Uređenje krajobraza d.o.o. / Luka Brnić, Ines Hrdalo
Building Physics Engineering: AKFZ studio d.o.o / Mateo Biluš
Elevators: Lift Modus d.o.o / Rok Pietri
Mechanical Installations: Ured 3T / Zlatko Jakoplić
Plumbing And Drainage, Aquarium Technology: Vodotehnika d.d. / Nenad Šutevski, Tomislav Fujs
Fire Safety, Health & Safety Project: ING Labos / Nadan Kosanović
Signage And Environmental Graphics Design: Bilić Muller Studio / Dora Bilić, Tina Müller
Fish Protection Project: Hrvatski Veterinarski Institut / Dražen Oraić
Aquarium Setup: Marko Ćaleta, Zoran Marčić
Educational Wall Illustration And Design: Bilić Muller Studio / Ana Rako
Artificial Rock: Igor Lenard
Audio Video Installations: AVC / Miodrag Gladović
Aquascaping And Aquarium Lighting Concept: Petra Bašić, Petar Pintar
City: Karlovac
Country: Croatia
Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium and River Museum, designed by 3LHD, in Karlovac, Croatia, is inspired by the city’s historic center and features an innovative exhibition layout that mimics the flow of a karst river. Opened in 2016, the 2,15 Square meter building integrates with the landscape, promoting local biodiversity and education. It was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
The Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium, designed by 3LHD, is located by the river Korana. partially dug into the ground and covered with earthen embankments and greenery, the design concept draws inspiration from Karlovac’s historic center and its defensive walls and mounds. The goal was to create a new city focal point and enhance the riverside promenade. Three walking routes lead to the city center, the sports and recreational center, and road access. At the junction of these routes is a square around which the aquarium’s entrance, souvenir shop, cafe bar, library, and offices are located.
The aquarium exhibits the flora and fauna of Croatian rivers, following the flow of a karst river. The exhibition starts with an outdoor water surface and continues inside with ramps that wind like a river to the basement level, allowing controlled lighting conditions for specific species. Aquariums are positioned along, above, and below visitor paths, offering various viewing perspectives. The journey progresses through headwaters, caves with endemic species, larger specimens, a tunnel simulating immersion into a river, and ends with aquariums displaying downstream marshy habitats and waterfalls.
Visitors return to the entrance via stairway or elevator through the gift shop. the central layout includes spaces for water analysis, scientific research, and fish acclimatization.
The project was co-financed by the European Reginal Development Fund under the “Regional Competitiveness” 2007-2013 Operational Programme, with a total value of 36,691,939.28 Kuna, including a grant of 36,222,282.45 Kuna.
The facade features pigmented concrete produced in situ with a special grain size to achieve a ground-like color. The concrete is applied, vibrated, and cultivated on the hull, coated with a cement milk retardant to slow binding, then washed to reveal the texture and structure of the concrete surface.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 1A Branka Čavlovića Čavlek Street, Karlovac 47000, Croatia
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
