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Since its official opening in 1930, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has focused on conservation for aquatic animals while offering guests immersive and captivating experiences. The organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2030 and, in preparation, is embarking on a transformational and ambitious journey with its Centennial Commitment.
The goal is to invest more than $500 million to power educational and experiential programs, compelling digital engagements, and more while accelerating research to address the largest threats to biodiversity.
The investment will also focus on bringing physical improvements to the historic Beaux-Arts-style building to modernize aquarium galleries, enable greater accessibility, enhance animal habitats, and restore critical architectural features—a project Shedd is calling its Experience Evolution. With these efforts, Shedd is looking to grow attendance to serve up to 2.3 million guests annually and to increase the number of schoolchildren who receive a personalized learning experience.
The project is being done in collaboration with Chicago-based Pepper Construction. “Pepper has brought together a passionate team of experts specializing in unique building and creation of animal habitats for zoos and aquariums,” says Greg Leofanti, Pepper’s vice president. “We are thrilled to join this journey, contributing to Shedd’s Experience Evolution and enhancing the experience for both animals and guests.”
To learn more about this exciting initiative, ABQ sat down with Shedd’s senior vice president of facilities and security, Bob Wengel, to hear about the instrumental role his team is playing on one of the largest aquarium renovations the organization has ever done. He shares his passion for his profession, Shedd, his team, and why the Experience Evolution is so impressive and impactful.
What are you most passionate about?
Over the years, I have been fortunate to be involved in many projects, and we have built some cool stuff. But what I will say, the thing that I am most passionate about is building teams and people. I have been involved in coaching youth sports over the years, and I realized a few years ago that while I was coaching the kids, I was also mentoring some staff here at Shedd. I get a real sense of accomplishment teaching and watching people grow and thrive.
What drew you to Shedd and what makes your job there so special?
I was drawn to Shedd Aquarium almost 30 years ago when Shedd was ready to start a master plan from 1999 to 2003. That master plan brought the aquarium and the city of Chicago a renovated rotunda, the Amazon Rising exhibit, and the Wild Reef exhibit. My job here is so special because I get to come here every day and take care of a facility that was a gift to the city of Chicago from John G. Shedd over 90 years ago. I could be in any building here in Chicago, but I get the privilege of coming here every day and being a curator of this amazing facility for a short period in time. That is special and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
Tell us about the centennial project, including its magnitude and impact on Chicago. Why is its scale so impressive?
Shedd’s Experience Evolution is by far the most ambitious and complicated construction project that the aquarium has ever executed. This project, part of our Centennial Commitment, is transformational as we move toward our 100-year anniversary and prepare for the next 100 years of service. Here in our historic home, improvements will make Shedd more accessible, modernize our experience, and deliver new, immersive exhibits that are great for the animals as well as our guests.
Why is this project one of the most complicated aquarium renovations Shedd has ever done?
This project is very complicated as we are renovating very large portions of the facility while simultaneously keeping the aquarium open to guests who want to connect with nature.
How are you and your team working to mitigate some of those challenges?
Our team coordinates on a daily basis with our construction partners to keep mechanical systems running and to make sure we have minimal impacts on daily operations. There is a portion of the work that we are performing overnight that could not be accomplished while guests are in the building.
How does the project help meet the goal of modernizing Shedd and addressing sustainability and accessibility?
While we are transforming and restoring our building, we are taking the time to upgrade all our mechanical systems and installing new, modern, more energy-efficient systems. We are also installing VFDs [variable-frequency drives] on all our critical aquarium life support system pumps. (These are the mechanical systems that maintain the habitats that the animals live in.) By installing VFD drives on these systems, we will be controlling system flow rate setpoints by controlling the speed of the pumps, only using the energy we need to maintain the parameters of the system.
One of the goals of this evolution was to move guests into and around the building in smarter ways and greatly reduce the amount of mechanical vertical transportation required to see everything Shedd has to offer. While we have elevators and two escalators in the project, we are constructing ramps in our entrance hallway and in our Changing Oceans exhibit to thoughtfully move guests through experiences rather than plain stairways.
Can you share any details about project timelines?
The project is set in four phases. We have already completed our enabling work and Phase I. Phase II began in August 2023 and is expected to wrap up in fall 2024. The next two phases will happen in succession, and the entire project is expected to be finished in early 2027.
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What’s your team like?
Let’s start with the facilities team. Our team is awesome! They are smart, flexible, and hardworking and in my opinion one of the best facilities teams in the zoo and aquarium community. We also have an amazing project team made up of partners who are collaborative, forward-thinking, and innovative. I am grateful every day for the talents, abilities, and passion that each one of these team members brings to the aquarium.
How do you view leadership and how do you like to lead your team, especially when faced with such an important project?
As a leader, I believe in a respectful, collaborative, and innovative environment that balances the risk of innovation with sound operational practices. I have a saying and it is very simple: “Be your best, bring your best every day. I cannot ask for anything else. I promise you all that I will do the same.”
While we always need to be mindful of schedule and the finances, as a leader on a project like this, I am very mindful of how stress can impact our team members both internal and external. I work very hard to be a thoughtful leader. To me, that means making sure we meet all the goals of the project while managing and maintaining a safe, respectful, and fun work environment that provides a work/life balance.
What’s next for you?
Phase III! But to be honest right now I am not thinking that far ahead. I am looking forward to celebrating the aquarium’s 100th birthday in 2030 and then maybe I will figure that out after that.
Pepper Construction is proud to continue its long-term partnership with Shedd Aquarium on significant renovation and new construction projects. In addition to being one of the premier builders of Zoos and Aquariums, Pepper serves clients in markets including aerospace, healthcare, science and technology, education, manufacturing and industrial, data centers, entertainment, hospitality and interiors, among others. Now in their fourth generation of family leadership, Pepper continues to drive the construction industry forward through advanced thought leadership while investigating new technologies, evaluating new methodologies and integrating innovative sustainable strategies and solutions that benefit clients, the industry and the environment. Visit www.pepperconstruction.com.
