Location: Busselton Jetty, WA, Australia
Client: Subcon
Scale: 900 sqm
Cost: $AU30 million
Design Team:
Main Contractor - Subcon Blue Solutions
Lead Architect - BACA architects
Marine Engineering - Core Marine
BACA Architects have been appointed Lead Architects bymarine contractor Subcon to deliver the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre(AUDC) at the end of Busselton Jetty, Western Australia. With a budget of AU$30million, the AUDC will become Australia’s largest natural marine observatory,located 2 km out at sea.
The project will include underwater dining, aretrofitted pier, and an upgraded existing café. Beyond its architecturalsignificance, the AUDC is expected to generate around 200 direct jobs and catalysethousands more in the local economy through hospitality, transport, retail, andtrade, with an estimated AU$200 million economic benefit to the region.
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The design process was inspired by the “Spy Hop”behaviour of whales, where they raise their heads above water to observe theirsurroundings, reflecting the centre’s marine-focused ethos. Communityengagement played a key role: three design proposals were presented to theBusselton public, and the whale-inspired “Cetacean” design was selected as themost favoured. This collaborative approach ensured the project resonated bothwith local identity and environmental sensitivity, fostering strong community supportfor the development.
The AUDC’s architectural concept, named the ‘Cetacean,’draws from whale-like forms, creating a striking visual identity whileintegrating functional requirements for the underwater observatory. The designincorporates a tessellated, ribbed structural system for the retrofitted pier,allowing it to accommodate the new program while respecting existinginfrastructure. The underwater and above-water elements are carefullyharmonised, combining aesthetic innovation with technical performance. Thestructure is intended to immerse visitors in the marine environment whilesupporting the complex engineering and environmental demands of a large-scaleobservatory 2 km offshore.
