Atlantis, The Palm—The Lost Chambers Aquarium “Depths of Discovery”

Set within the iconic surroundings of Atlantis, The Palm, the Lost Chambers Aquarium has been reimagined as a next-generation immersive marine experience. Once known as a tranquil walkthrough of marine habitats, the attraction has evolved into “Depths of Discovery,” a story-led journey that blends living ecosystems with cutting-edge audiovisual technology. Designed to captivate a new generation of explorers, the transformed aquarium now layers narrative, interactivity, and education into every chamber, bringing renewed energy, movement, and purpose to this beloved destination.

Agency

Practice Area

Client

Atlantis, The Palm

Industry

The Challenge

Delivering this transformation within an existing architectural shell presented unique engineering challenges. Custom waterproof enclosures were developed to protect projection equipment installed near open-top tanks, safeguarding long-term reliability in a saltwater environment. Projection systems were precisely mapped using 3D modeling tools to wrap content accurately across complex surfaces, while concealed mounting structures and removable access panels ensure the aesthetic integrity of the space remains untouched. Even the most technically demanding environments were designed to appear effortlessly natural.

Project Vision

The vision for Depths of Discovery was to reimagine Atlantis’ Lost Chambers Aquarium as more than a traditional attraction by creating an immersive, technology-enabled experience that deepens guests’ emotional connection to marine life and conservation. The goal was to seamlessly blend storytelling, interactivity, education, and entertainment within the aquarium’s existing environment, allowing visitors to become active participants in an unfolding underwater adventure. By combining cutting-edge audiovisual technology with original content and flexible digital infrastructure, the project was designed to deliver a memorable guest experience that could continually evolve through new narratives, educational initiatives, and conservation-focused programming, ensuring long-term relevance and engagement.

The tridents activate media content as visitors approach.

Atlantis, The Palm

Full-ceiling projection dominates The Ocean’s Eye

Atlantis, The Palm

Design + Execution

The Depths of Discovery experience was carefully designed to integrate immersive technology within the existing architecture of Atlantis’ Lost Chambers Aquarium while preserving the authenticity of the environment. Across 16 chambers, AVI-SPL and project partners deployed a sophisticated ecosystem of more than 60 laser projectors, 140 loudspeakers, interactive kiosks, and custom handheld “Trident” devices to create a seamless blend of storytelling, education, and guest engagement. Projection mapping, spatial audio, and interactive triggers were strategically embedded throughout the attraction to remain largely invisible to visitors, ensuring the technology enhanced rather than distracted from the experience. The project also incorporated a flexible content management framework, allowing educational materials, conservation messaging, and original animated content to be updated over time. Through close coordination of creative design, systems integration, and operational planning, the team successfully transformed the aquarium into a dynamic, immersive destination that encourages exploration, learning, and repeat visitation.

The Storm Room

Atlantis, The Palm

  1. Inside The Lost Chamber

    Atlantis, The Palm

  2. The tridents activate media content as visitors approach.

    Atlantis, The Palm

  3. The Storm Room

    Atlantis, The Palm

Project Details
From the visitor’s perspective, you’ve eliminated all boundaries between water, human, deep sea environment, exhibitry, cinema, and setting. Tremendously challenging, mesmerizing, and beautifully realized.
Juror 1
If asked to describe an “immersive experience”, this is one such project that could come to mind. By using seemingly every inch of every surface—walls, ceilings, floors—the designers tell the story of Atlantis through a robust combination of technology and original characters. Through the use of an interactive “trident”, visitors are further engaged, allowing them to become active participants in the story.
Juror 2
Design Team

Juanjo Albala (creative technologist)
Aaron Leishman (design engineer)
James Taylor (project engineer)
Neil Edden (business development manager)

Collaborators

BoraBora Studios (content creation and immersive media production)
AVI-SPL Experience Technology Group (XTG)

Photo Credits

Bora Bora Studios (photography, videography)

Open Date

October 2025

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