BACA architects | Australian Underwater Discovery Centre

Background

Set just off the coast of Geographe Bay in Western Australia, the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre (AUDC) is envisioned as the world’s largest natural marine observatory.

We were commissioned by Subcon as the Lead Architects.

The project redefines how visitors experience the ocean through an extraordinary blend of architecture, marine science, and environmental stewardship.

The AUDC transforms Busselton Jetty into a global hub for research, education, and sustainable tourism. It will house a marine laboratory, immersive exhibition spaces, and learning facilities dedicated to ocean ecology and climate resilience.

Nicknamed Cetacean for its whale-inspired form, the project is both a sculptural landmark and a powerful symbol of Australia’s connection to the sea. Once complete, it is projected to create over 200 jobs and generate AU$200 million in long-term economic benefits across the region.

Immersed within the seagrass meadows of Geographe Bay, the centre invites visitors to explore life beneath the surface, promoting awareness of blue infrastructure and the importance of clean oceans for future generations.

Sketch series illustrating a whale emerging from water transforming into an architectural structure resembling the whale shape.

Humpback whale breaching the ocean surface with water splashing around its body against a clear blue sky.

Close-up of a textured blue ceramic object reflected perfectly on a smooth blue surface below.

Process

The design of Cetacean was shaped through an intensive and collaborative process involving stakeholder engagement, community consultation and local environmental input.

BACA architects’ founder, Richard Coutts, began the concept as a hand-sculpted clay model, capturing the grace and movement of the ocean in physical form.

The exterior is finished with a delicate Japanese crackle-glazed porcelain surface, evoking the patterns of water, the timeless texture of marine life, and the weathered nature of a whale's skin.

Inspired by the whale behaviour known as a “spy hop,” where a whale rises above the surface to observe its surroundings, the form symbolises curiosity and coexistence between humans and nature.

Of the three proposed designs, The Cetacean was chosen by the Busselton community for its emotional resonance and poetic connection to the sea.

Architecture

Emerging elegantly from the Busselton Jetty, the AUDC guides visitors through a gradual descent from land to ocean. Inside, a sculptural stairway leads to a submerged observation chamber where curved walls and panoramic windows reveal the underwater landscape of Geographe Bay.

Beyond this lies an underwater dining venue, creating an experience that unites architecture and marine life in a seamless encounter.

Constructed using sustainable materials and flood-resilient engineering, the AUDC represents a pioneering model of environmental and water architecture.

It is a building that not only studies the ocean but becomes part of it, embodying our philosophy of designing with, rather than against, the natural world.

Architectural section drawing of a multi-level marine discovery center showing labeled rooms including bar/cafe, marine park discovery zone, gallery, and function space inside a sculptural building structure over water.