PHOTOS: Spiraling SeaGlass Carousel Will Let You Ride Giant Glass Fishes in Battery Park

Visitors to Battery Park will soon be able to enjoy a swirling, aquatic-themed carousel in addition to the stellar views of the Statue of Liberty. Called <a href="http://www.thebattery.org/projects/seaglass/">SeaGlass</a>, the oceanic attraction was designed by <a href="http://www.wxystudio.com/">WXY Architecture</a> for The Battery Conservancy, and promises to be an experience of movement, light and sound. Inhabitat was on the scene last week as workers placed the last panel on SeaGlass's roof, and while the sea creatures themselves aren't yet in place, you can flip through our gallery to get a closer look at this enchanting upcoming structure.

<a href="http://www.thebattery.org/projects/seaglass/">SeaGlass</a>'s nautical theme takes inspiration from the original New York Aquarium, which opened at Castle Clinton in 1896, and was one of the first aquariums in the country until it closed in 1941.

The ride also celebrates the <a href="http://www.nyaquarium.com/">New York Aquarium</a> most of us are familiar with today at Coney Island, and the Battery Park Conservancy's efforts to start a ferry linking The Battery to the aquarium.

Even though the carousel's 30 iridescent glass fish figures, fabricated by <a href="http://georgetsypin.com/">George Tsypin Opera Factory</a>, are not yet in place, the last panel on the nautilus-shaped roof was installed last week.

When complete, the turntable mechanism and spiral shell structure will feature 60 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_glass">SmartGlass</a> panels that will turn from transparent to cobalt blue, symbolizing the feeling of traveling under the sea.

<a href="http://www.thebattery.org/projects/seaglass/">SeaGlass</a> will also simulate the sensation of swimming by using one large turntable and three interior turntables spinning in the opposite direction.

A view up through the nautilus-shaped roof.

<a href="http://www.wxystudio.com/">WXY </a>also incorporated sustainable considerations such as LED and fiber-optic lighting into their design.

The carousel will also employ an engineering method that maximizes natural air-flow in the summer balanced with effective shelter enclosure for the winter.

A closer look at the steel roof panels.

According to one of their reps, a strategy for controlling daylight that may ultimately include large sections of smart glass is also in the works.

The carousel is expected to be completed this year.