Teaserbild-Quelle: Baca Architects
With the Australian Underwater Discovery Center (AUDC), a new marine overvatorium is to be built near the Australian city of Perth for $ 30 million soon. The construction is modeled on an emerging whale.
Source: Baca Architects
The observatory designed by Baca Architects is supposed to represent an emerging whale.
At first glance, the visualizations of the new observatory are somewhat reminiscent of the massive concrete construction of the “under” in Lindesnes, Norway. The underwater restaurant, which was prefabricated on a floating dock, was sunk in the sea in an elaborate undertaking and opened its doors in early 2019.
The architecture, which is inspired by a whale, is also reminiscent of the “The Whale” project by architect Dorte Mandrup. This provides for a center in the Norwegian village of Andenes, which tells of the region’s whaling history. In contrast to the “under”, the structure modeled on a whale’s fin should not be in the water, but on the land.
Whale architecture now in Australia too
Now there is also whale architecture in Australia: The Baca Architects from London designed a marine observatory for the marine company Subcon that depicts an emerging whale. It is to be realized for around 30 million dollars in the sea at the 1,841 meter long Busselton Jetty Pier near Perth.
Source: Baca Architects
The interior of the center is to be equipped with large panoramic windows.
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Source: Baca Architects
After its completion, the building should be the largest marine upper vatory in Australia and attract 900,000 visitors annually.
The construction replaces an existing observatory in the region that has reached its capacity limits. After its completion, according to the press release, it will attract around 900,000 visitors a year. The whale design for the center was selected from three designs in a public voting process.
The AUDC should lead down to the sea floor and offer visitors an underwater panorama with large glass windows. An underwater path, art galleries, exhibition rooms and catering areas are also planned. The construction consists largely of concrete, and the architects also use frame formwork for the roof.
Observatory is prefabricated
Construction work on the center is expected to start in mid-2021. The procedure is similar to that for the construction of the underwater restaurant in Norway: The observatory is prefabricated at a nearby shipyard and then towed to its location in the sea. The opening is planned for December 2022.
According to those involved in the project, the AUDC will even become the largest center of its kind worldwide, which will be available to both the public and scientists to observe the marine habitats in Geographe Bay.
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Source: Baca Architects
The construction is reminiscent of the underwater restaurant “under”, which was built in Lindesnes, Norway.
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