Serving as both Design Architect and Architect of Record, we designed the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, with an indigenous architectural language that reflects the character of East Tennessee. This aquarium has become a regional landmark attraction, set on a prominent 6-acre site in the heart of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains resort area—once home to the historic Greystone Hotel.

Inside, thousands of marine animals from around the globe are showcased in immersive environments that blend advanced aquatic technology with dramatic theming and expansive viewing windows. The facility holds over 1 million gallons of water—most of it salt water—and invites exploration through a carefully choreographed series of exhibits.

At the heart of the experience is an underwater tunnel, where visitors glide along a moving walkway, surrounded by a vibrant marine world. Just inches away, sharks, poisonous predators, and colorful schools of fish pass overhead, creating the illusion of walking beneath the sea. This signature feature is part of a larger, multi-sensory journey designed to engage sight, sound, and touch—offering guests intimate encounters with sea life from every corner of the planet.