Location:

Busselton Jetty, Perth, WA, Australia

Status:

Pre-planning

 

Scale:

900 sqm

Constraints:

2km out to sea and part on ocean floor

Cost:

$AU30 million

Team:

Main Contractor - Subcon Blue Solutions

Lead Architect - Baca Architects

Marine Engineering - CoreMarine

Underwater Ocean Discovery Centre

Aerial view of the ROCK at the end of the Busselton Jetty pier
Initial 3D concept sketch of the ROCK
UNDERWATER ADVENTURE

UNDERWATER ADVENTURE

Interior view of the ROCK cafe and event space
Interior view of the ROCK rockpool rooflight window

Baca Architects has designed a cocoa pod-shaped treehouse for an eco hotel located on a secluded Panama island, which is accessible only by boat. The practice was asked to design the treehouse as well as a larger residence for the Bíku Treehouse Retreat on the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

The chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea are known for their scenic natural parks, made up from forests and mangroves that provide a habitat for hundreds of species. The treehouse’s design aims to take advantage of the idyllic setting through a broad panoramic opening at one side of its bulbous form, splitting it in two like a cocoa pod.

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Baca Architects have been appointed by marine contractor, Subcon as the Lead Architects for the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre (AUCD). The commission will deliver Australia’s largest natural marine observatory (2km out at sea) at the end of Busselton Jetty, 2 hours south of Perth in Western Australia.

 

Three alternatives have been drawn up for the $30 million Australian underwater discovery Centre:

 

The Rock is inspired In shape and colour by Castle Rock in western Australia.

 

The Cetacean Design reflects the shape of a whale, to raise its head over Geographe Bay.

 

And the Voyage mimics The silhouette and lines of a ship moored against the pier

 

Bustleton Jetty managers will formally reveal and present the choice of designs by Henderson based Subcon: Blue solutions on Monday, and the public is being encouraged to vote for their favourite. Subcon: Blue Solutions are a marine contracting company specializing in building offshore windfarm and artificial reefs is joined by CoreMarine Engineering; the team that delivered Snoetta’s “under” restaurant.

 

But what ever appears on the surface, underneath, the Australian underwater discovery Centre aims to be the worlds biggest natural marine Observatory, complete with an underwater trail and Underwater dining. Construction should start in the middle of next year, with the centre open by December 2022. Bustleton Jetty managers are aiming for more than 200,000 new visitors in 2023 bringing the total to more than 900,000.

 

Bustleton Jetty Chairman Barry House says: “This is as authentic as it gets, because people are in the tank and the fish are looking in. By adding underwater dining, underwater sculptures, marine art and other features, this project will enhance Bustleton Jetty’s 155-year-old experience.”

Mr House says that at its peak times, people are turned away from the current Observatory because you can only fit 44 people in each hour”

 

In 2017 we started looking at how to make a demand to visit and after feasibility studies a market research, determine that engaging our current unique Marine offering what’s the best way to grow and meet our environmental goals”

 

Jetty Chief Executive Lisa Shreeve Says the current underwater Observatory will become a marine research centre promoting clean oceans and feature public interaction with world-class research and laboratory to educate people about ocean climate change.

 

Mr JHouse claims that the construction of the new Australian underwater discovery Centre will create work for 200 people!’s ones operation thousands of jobs will be created over the coming years as cafés, hotels, service stations, retail stores, bus companies, trade agencies all prosper, returning some $200 million in economic benefit in Western Australia.

 

“This is an exciting stage of the project, to get the feedback on the most attractive design that will be a catalyst for drawing people to Western Australia from all over the world, especially those who love the ocean,”

 

 

Reviving a site in Ashwicken, Norfolk formerly quarried for sand Baca Architects has designed an eco-wellness resort ideal for those seeking comfort and serenity in a UK based getaway. The resort centred on waterside living, water-based recreation and wellness is set to offer a memorable yet, tranquil staycation at a time when travel restrictions across Europe are at their highest.​

 

The ‘Water Lily,’ is a floating island of 40-flatted units located in the southeast corner of Ashwicken Lake. Inspired by the water lily or lotus plant whose big leaves float on the water’s surface to attract ample sunlight for photosynthesis, Baca adopts this shape to evoke serenity amongst its visitors and synthesise human wellbeing.

Interior view of the ROCK underwater observatory
The ROCK proposal at the end of Busselton Jetty seen from coast
Initial concept sketch of the ROCK proposal in section
Water level view of the ROCK
The ROCK seen from the pier
View of the ROCK underwater observatory window from the sea
Aerial view of the CETACEAN at the end of Busselton Jetty
View of the CETACEAN at the end of Busselton Jetty pier from the coast
Interior view of the CETACEAN event spaces
View of the CETACEAN from sea level
View of the CETACEAN interior semi-underwater circulation window
View of the CETACEAN underwater observatory with views out to the sea
Aerial view of the VOYAGE at the end of the Busselton Jetty pier
Initial concept sketch of the VOYAGE
View of the VOYAGE at the end of the Busselton Jetty pier seen from coast
3D Cutaway model of the VOYAGE
View of the VOYAGE from the Busselton Jetty pier
View of the VOYAGE from sea level
View of the VOYAGE underwater observatory with views out to the sea

1 Site, 3 World Class Proposals

(click to navigate)

1 Site, 3 World Class Proposals

(click to navigate)

1 Site, 3 World Class Proposals

(click to navigate)

Rock

Cetacean

Voyage

or

Baca Architects have been appointed by marine contractor, Subcon as the Lead Architects for the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre (AUDC). The commission will deliver Australia’s largest natural marine observatory (2km out at sea) at the end of Busselton Jetty, 2 hours south of Perth in Western Australia.



Three alternatives have been drawn up for the $30 million Australian underwater discovery Centre.



The Rock is inspired in shape and colour by Castle Rock in western Australia.



The Cetacean Design reflects the shape of a whale, to raise its head over Geographe Bay.



And the Voyage mimics the silhouette and lines of a ship moored against the pier.



Bustleton Jetty managers will formally reveal and present the choice of designs by Henderson based Subcon: Blue solutions on Monday, and the public is being encouraged to vote for their favourite. Subcon: Blue Solutions are a marine contracting company specializing in building offshore windfarm and artificial reefs is joined by CoreMarine Engineering; the team that delivered Snoetta’s “under” restaurant.



But what ever appears on the surface, underneath, the Australian underwater discovery Centre aims to be the worlds biggest natural marine Observatory, complete with an underwater trail and Underwater dining. Construction should start in the middle of next year, with the centre open by December 2022. Bustleton Jetty managers are aiming for more than 200,000 new visitors in 2023 bringing the total to more than 900,000.



The approach to the resort will take guests through a landscaped sequence from theirmoment of arrival, where they’ll leave their car behind in a park graced with rain gardens.



Bustleton Jetty Chairman Barry House says: “This is as authentic as it gets, because people are in the tank and the fish are looking in. By adding underwater dining, underwater sculptures, marine art and other features, this project will enhance Bustleton Jetty’s 155-year-old experience.”



Mr House says that at its peak times, people are turned away from the current Observatory because you can only fit 44 people in each hour”



In 2017 we started looking at how to make a visit to demand and after to feasibility studies a market research, determine that engaging our current unique Marine offering what’s the best way to grow and meet our environmental goals”



Jetty Chief Executive Lisa Shreeve Says the current underwater Observatory will become a marine research centre promoting clean oceans and feature public interaction with world-class research and laboratory to educate people about ocean climate change.



Mr House claims that the construction of the new Australian underwater discovery Centre will create work for 200 people’s ones operation thousands of jobs will be created over the coming years as cafés, hotels, service stations, retail stores, bus companies, trade agencies all prosper, returning some $200 million in economic benefit in Western Australia.



“This is an exciting stage of the project, to get the feedback on the most attractive design that will be a catalyst for drawing people to Western Australia from all over the world, especially those who love the ocean,”

SITE COMING SOON

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Baca Architects