The design goal of The Blue Planet, Denmark’s new national aquarium, was to make the
aquarium’s visitors feel like they had entered the world of the sea surrounding it. Using
Rosco’s X24 Effects Projector, lighting Designer Jesper Garde Kongshaug created a
realistic and controllable water effect to accomplish that goal as he projected that effect
throughout the vast concourse areas inside the aquarium.
Aquariums are filled with the ethereal, wavy effect of light shining through or reflecting
off of the various pools and tanks of water in their exhibits. Copenhagen’s new Blue
Planet Aquarium wanted to incorporate those effects into its “swirling water” inspired
design to bring the visitors “into the world of the fish and the life they live under the
sea.” Lighting designer Jesper Garde Kongshaug knew that, in order to immerse the
visitors in an underwater experience, he would need to generate his own reflected water
effect.
Over forty Rosco DMX-controlled X24 Effect Projectors were installed throughout the
building’s 53 aquariums, which gave Kongshaug complete control of the speed, direction
and coverage of the projected water effects he created. Working with Rosco’s colour lab,
he created a custom dichroic colour wheel that slowly circulated the blue, green and
cyan colours Kongshaug chose to emulate the Kastrup Harbour outside the aquarium’s
walls.
Jesper Kongshaug’s stunning lighting design brings the swirling waters of the sea inside
the aquarium to accomplish the immersive vision of the design. He chose Rosco’s X24 to
make The Blue Planet’s visitors feel like they are in the water with sea animals from
around the world.
