U2’s iconic Claw stage to become permanent fixture at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
A unique construction created for U2’s most recent world tour has been purchased by Salt Lake City's Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, where it will now become a permanent fixture at the Utah attraction.
From the mind of the late Mark Fisher of London-based architects Stufish, the 250-ton, 165ft-tall (50m) ‘Claw’ was designed by the firm and created by construction company Stageco, with three different versions built for the three-year tour.
The space beneath the claw will come to life with a number of memorable guest experiences, according to the aquarium, with the venue planning to host concerts for up to 7,000 people on-site. It will also serve as a location for movie screenings, farmers markets and other special events year-round.
Beneath The Claw’s stage will be the ‘Eco Command Centre’, an experience which combines elements from escape rooms, simulators and team building exercises. Using digital technology and immersive virtual reality experiences, the aquarium plans to send visitors on science and ecology-based eco-missions around the globe, ranging from deep oceans and rainforests to deserts and Arctic regions.
“The Claw will be an iconic monument that shines a light on our mission to inspire people to explore, discover and learn about earth’s diverse ecosystems,” said Brent Andersen, the aquarium’s founder and CEO.
“We want to use this magnificent structure to help people understand that the environments we live in are all interconnected as one global ecosystem – the living planet.”
In addition to The Claw, the Science Learning Campus will be home to the 80,000sq ft (7,400sq m) Science Learning Center, which will provide immersive experiences that encourage guests to learn about the natural world and understand the need for conservation.
Experiences will include the five-story Asian Cloud Forest Habitat and Endangered Species Conservation Center, interactive science stations, new indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, and laboratories and classrooms. The centre will also include a Science Entrepreneur Incubator and a banquet and conference facility.
The development and installation of The Claw is expected to cost around US$25m (€20.3m, £17.5m). A US$1m (€810,000, £700,000) GoFundMe campaign has been launched to fund construction, which will take place in Q3 of this year.
U2 Claw Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Utah Salt LakeNew Orleans aquarium becomes first in US to be recognised as 'sensory inclusive'
Georgia Aquarium gears up for major expansion
US$130m Sarasota aquarium project seeks funding
French courts overrule cetacean captivity decision
Feeling swell: Nuffield Health partners National Marine Aquarium for wellbeing classes
Vancouver Aquarium announces plan to end cetacean displays


Lagula Arquitectes designs new wellness centre for PGA Catalunya golf resort in Spain

Vietnam: Noor Design completes Adrian Zecha's first Azerai beach resort

Christian Lachel appointed chief creative officer at BRC Imagination Arts

Work completed on iconic M+ museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron’s in Hong Kong

Alta Capital Real Estate launches new fund targeting hospitality developments focused on sustainability and wellness

Langham to open beachfront hotel and TCM spa inside Chad Oppenheim's glimmering crystalline towers

Sordo Madaleno and Alejandro Escudero create Sha Wellness Clinic and residences in Mexico

'Oscars Museum' to host programme of virtual events ahead of September 2021 opening

Kerzner unveils new fitness-focused hospitality brand dedicated to health and wellbeing

Design Museum Everywhere launches diversity training programme

Snøhetta reveals reinvented Kon-Tiki Museum – due to open in 2025

Bjarke Ingels-designed Oakland baseball stadium a step closer

London's Battersea Power Station prepares for major launch

Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand reveal US$250m redevelopment for Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia

Baca Architects submits scheme for floating eco-wellness resort

MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London

Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance

World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality

Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness

Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart

BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest
From parks designed to mitigate the effects of flooding to warming huts for one of the world’s coldest cities, these projects have been designed for increasingly extreme climates