KCI provided structural and marine engineering expertise for the National Aquarium’s Blacktip Reef exhibit, a dynamic 265,000‑gallon Indo‑Pacific coral reef habitat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
The project transformed the existing “Wings in the Water” tank into a visually stunning exhibit featuring a large curved acrylic floor‑to‑ceiling pop‑out viewing panel that allows visitors to see the reef environment up close. With the opportunity to bring guests face‑to‑face with more than 600 marine animals representing nearly 70 species, the exhibit is an immersive and educational experience for all visitors.
Our team performed in-water structural investigations and design services while the tank remained full, preserving Aquarium operations and enabling a comprehensive structural condition assessment of the 35-year-old reinforced concrete salt-water exhibit tank. KCI coordinated with specialty partners on the installation of the 27‑foot viewing panel and temporary overhead containment solution that minimized noise and dust during construction for this central exhibit. The team also developed a 3D finite element structural model to assess the impact of modifications required for the new viewing gallery and supported removal of portions of the original tank structure.
In addition to the exhibit engineering and restoration work, KCI continues to support the Aquarium through routine underwater dive inspections of the Blacktip Reef structure. These periodic inspections help assess overall conditions and identify needed maintenance or repairs to ensure long‑term performance of this iconic attraction.
