The aquarium's design extends the visitor experience from the water's surface to beneath the waves, creating a sense of being inside the water with its surface above. The Tropical Habitat features a crystalline, wave-like glass structure, capturing the moment of a wave's peak.

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The building’s character excites visitors and emphasizes education about aquatic life. Housing 400 species and 4,000 specimens, the aquarium includes 40 tanks, seven habitats, waterfalls, flooded forests, and a 28-foot deep Ocean Tank. Visitors navigate through Cold Water Galleries, skylighted Coral Propagation tanks, and a Tropical Forest with Amazon streams and flooded pools.

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The architecture balances spectacle with the practical needs of maintaining diverse aquatic environments. For instance, the Fresh Water Habitat's glass structure supports both the tropical plants and Golden Lion Tamarins while accommodating ambient light requirements. Designing for environments with extreme conditions, from a 90% light-transmitting Tropical Forest to a cold, saltwater Patagonian Cliffside, challenges the building's mechanical systems.