Hotel replaces Burst AquaDom Aquarium with 24-metre Living Tree
The Radisson Hotel in Berlin has reopened, replacing its iconic cylindrical aquarium with a “living tree.” The hotel was home to the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium, the 25-metre tall, one million-litre AquaDom, which stood for nearly twenty years before its catastrophic failure in December 2022. The acrylic aquarium’s collapse released 1500 fish and 1000 tonnes of water into the hotel and the surrounding streets, killing most of the fish. Amazingly, no one was killed, and just over three years later the hotel has reopened, this time filling the 1000 square metre lobby with a 24-metre tall “living tree.”
“One of the hotel’s most remarkable features is the ‘Living Tree’ vertical garden in the nearly 1,000 square metre lobby.” Says the Radisson. “Towering 24 metres high and up to 20 metres wide, this lush installation is adorned with nearly 2,000 plants, creating an ever-changing visual spectacle. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the greenery enhances air quality, absorbs noise, and contributes to a serene environment. A state-of-the-art irrigation system ensures optimal conditions, while dynamic lighting adapts to different times of the day and special occasions, transforming the ambiance of the lobby.”
On 24 October 2023, prosecutors closed the investigation into the rupture after experts failed to determine a conclusive cause. Here’s a video of what it looked like:
