The Sobela Aquarium at the Kansas City Zoo - Honor Award - The Sobela Ocean Aquarium is a 75,000 square foot and 650,000 gallon destination unto itself that is now home to nearly 8000 animals in 34 habitats, telling the story of how ocean currents connect animals across the globe, starting outside. The site design became a living part of the visitor experience - connecting to, building on and extending the educational and immersive experience of the aquarium. Vireo led the design team in the creation of a site design and complete landscape plan that embraced the overall design concept of marine currents, responded creatively to a challenging site, connected to the mission of the Zoo and began the visitor experience as soon as the aquarium came into view.