Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion

Seattle, WA

Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion

A 350,000-gallon tank filled with more than 120 species of fish, sharks, rays, and other marine life highlights this iconic, two-story destination with flexible space for educational and interpretive programs, several smaller “jewel” tanks, and open space for gathering and viewing. The project also includes an accessible, 16,000-ft² rooftop garden functioning as an extension of another MKA project, the Overlook Walk, that connects downtown, Pike Place Market, and the central waterfront. MKA’s unique aquarium design—a geometrically complex, cantilevered concrete tank serving as the building’s primary gravity- and lateral-force resisting systems—incorporates 3D printing and Computerized Numerical Control for custom-cut formwork.  In addition, the tank’s unusual geometry and sloshing water effects greatly impacted the seismic design and detailing complexities.  The facility is targeting Living Building certification in critical performance areas,  focusing on planet-positive energy use. The civil design included extensive coordination with adjacent and concurrent projects that relocated Alaskan Way. MKA coordinated relocation of utilities to align with the development of three ongoing projects, coordinated and developed grading and hardscape improvements in the adjacent Promenade and the Alaskan Way cycle track, designed life support system routing between the new Ocean Pavilion and the Pier with a penetration through the seawall, and worked with the City of Seattle to permit the project through a negotiated Street Improvement Process.