Fosters unveils designs for Red Sea marine life centre

Foster & Partners has unveiled its designs for a marine life centre on Saudi Arabi’s Red Sea coast which will feature a 40m-long man-made coral reef.

Designed for the Red Sea Development Company, it will be located within the emerging AMAALA luxury resort at Triple Bay Marina where it will neighbour an HKS-designed yacht club.

The “fully immersive” marine centre will take visitors from a ground level entrance through two subterranean floors to a huge semi-spherical tank containing the coral exhibit.

Fosters said the “big reveal” aquarium at the heart of the 10,000sq m space is a “real first-of-its-kind”.

On their way to the reef, visitors will pass a series of exhibits displaying local wildlife habitats ranging from mangroves to sandy beaches. The centre will also house laboratories which visitors will be able to visit on researcher-led educational tours.

Other attractions on offer will include underwater guided tours of the Red Sea on submersible vehicles, underwater “walks”, night diving and snorkelling.

Fosters head of studio Gerard Evenden said: “The marine life institute will take guests on a vibrant, educational, and awe-inspiring journey that unveils the natural wonders of the Red Sea and blurs the boundaries between the institute and the ocean. 

“By recreating natural marine habitats, offering unforgettable marine interactions, and sharing glimpses into conservation projects, it will provide guests with an immersive marine experience unlike any other.” 

John Pagano, group chief executive of the Red Sea Development Company, said the centre will extend far beyond any existing marine life attraction. 

“With 10 zones that provide everything from augmented reality experiences to night diving, and spaces for the scientific community to effectively progress their environmental projects, the facility is undeniably unique,” he said.

“Not only will it drive global green and blue innovations, it will also help put Saudi Arabia on the map for travellers seeking trips that enrich their lives.”

Enabling works at the site have already started with the next phase of the scheme to include excavating 12m below the surface water level to prepare for the construction of the reef tank.

The centre has been designed to resemble reef patterns against the skyline and will be built from glass reinforced concrete supported by a lightweight steel frame. The structure will be effectively supported on four points with a large canopy covering a central plaza between four building “clusters”.

Construction of the wider AMAALA development is well underway and when complete will consist of 25 hotels, 900 luxury homes and several high-end retail, wellness and recreational attractions.

The resort is a core component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to reduce the country’s dependence on oil exports by diversifying its economy and growing its tourism sector.