Nagoya Port Authority Drafts Basic Plan to Enhance Aquarium Functions; Uses ECI Method for Development
November 19, 2025 – Construction & Planning
The Nagoya Port Authority has prepared a draft basic plan to enhance the functions of Nagoya Port Aquarium. The plan includes establishing new exhibition themes and concepts, constructing a large polar penguin facility—the largest exhibition space in Japan—and renovating existing exhibits and zoning. The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) method will be used to incorporate technical proposals and collaborative planning.
After more than 30 years since opening, the aquarium in Minato-ku, Nagoya, will revise its exhibitions, integrating climate change as a new conceptual theme. Aging equipment will be replaced with high-efficiency systems, and visitor amenities—including walkways, observation areas, nursing rooms, multi-purpose toilets, multilingual support, and digital technologies—will be upgraded to improve accessibility.
The new polar penguin facility will cover approximately 3,500 m² with a total water volume of about 350 tons in the Shiokaze Plaza. The South Building’s third floor will house a 1600 m² Antarctic zone for environmental education, and the second floor will be the Japan Sea area with new tanks of approximately 820 tons over 800 m². The North Building’s second floor will be designated as underwater viewing seating.
While the Port Authority will lead the development, the ECI approach allows collaboration between clients, designers, and contractors from the design stage, leveraging private-sector expertise, specialized construction techniques, and innovative solutions. Next steps include detailing the system, setting conditions, and reviewing project costs and schedule.
