New Pacific Seas Aquarium

The New Aquarium at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a 34,000 sf replacement for the aging existing North Pacific Aquarium.  

The main theme of the Aquarium is “we share the oceans and responsibility for protecting them” and the building echoes this theme with its aggressive sustainability goals.  

Located on a steep site, the building ramps down around the two largest central tanks affording multiple views into them.  The exterior is a simple concrete box encrusted with ‘barnacles” that allow people, air, and daylight into the building.