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Apex Track Side Car Condo, AZ
Award winner
Point Defiance Aquarium, WA
Washington
Project Type Commercial | Community Use
Year Completed 2019
Project Size 15270 sq ft
SIPS Used 12" Roof
Awards 2020 BEA Winner Commercial Over 10K S/F High Performance
Architect BCRA DEsign
Contractor Turner Construction
Project Overview
Point Defiance Aquarium
End Use: Public Aquarium
Why SIPs?: Speed of construction and high-performance needs.
After 32 hardworking years, the popular South Pacific Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium needed some love. In November 2021, the aquarium was closed for restoration and repair of critical animal-care structures, habitats, and life support systems, was scheduled to reopen in 2023 with exciting new species, upgraded systems, and immersive South Pacific-themed art.
Structural insulated panels help support the climate-controlled environments that make this huge aquarium a real show-stopper. Climate-controlled environments to support the large exhibit's habitats were required, which meant an efficient and stable indoor environment was required. The large tank exhibits also required huge spans of the roof to allow the massive tanks the space for the exhibits and habitats to function naturally.
Some of the remodeling and repairs not visible:
- Critical roof repairs (Premier SIPS)
- Repair of concrete cracks and spalling
- Repair of walkways and gates used by aquarists to feed and care for sharks
- New heat pump, ventilator, industrial dehumidifier, and electrical updates
- Improvements to critical life support systems for all animals
The areas that will be visible:
- Exciting new South Pacific animal species
- Brand-new coral reef rockwork in the Outer Reef and Blue Hole habitats
- Resealing, cleaning, and polishing of viewing windows
- More natural light from new ceiling windows at the aquarium entrance
- Immersive, South-Pacific-themed artwork
- Improvements to the Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive experience, including a new human-shark barrier that is better for both sharks and humans
To achieve these crucial repairs and upgrades, the 300,000 gallons of warm saltwater were drained from the aquarium’s four habitats (Outer Reef, Blue Hole, Lagoon and Stingray Cove). During that time, most of the 700 fish and invertebrates were transported to temporary homes in the zoo’s behind-the-scenes Aquatic Animal Care Center where staff continued to care for them. Some animals were moved permanently to new homes at other zoos.
The 25,000-square-foot aquarium South Pacific Aquarium opened in 1989, built with a voter-approved 1986 Metro Parks Tacoma bond issue and designed to transport visitors to a tropical island in the South Pacific. Stingray Cove was added in 2013.
Client Comment:
“The South Pacific Aquarium is a beloved gem in our community, with many special ocean animals,” said Varsik. “We are proud to be its stewards, and proud to be conserving it for the next generation of ocean-lovers.”
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