Into The Deep: An Oceanarium Complex

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology

Project idea

This project, the oceanarium was a part of Sonadia eco-tourism park [ beza ] which works in the 980-acre area. Before starting the design phase I studied the eco-tourism park project and saw that it will hamper the whole ecosystem and the Sonadia dip. I decided to give a proper master plan for this oceanarium project in 720-acre area and select the site for the oceanarium [50 acres] from the island by studying the water level, land pattern, and site forces.

The site is surrounded by Bay of Bangle, a mangrove forest, and sonadia river. It's mainly in Cox's Bazar. Easily accessible from Cox's Bazar and Moheshkhali by boat. There is also jhau forest and fully vacant land and some people who work for BEZA live here for security. It can be seen as a potential tourist spot by which we can increase tourism.

Project description

“Connecting to the underwater world”[main master plan]

The island has three entrance points for security, two from the waterway from Moheshkhali and Cox's Bazar and one is from the Jila road of Maheshkhali. The roadway is also used as a service way where for the site service there is a service and utility block. One can enjoy the site with eco-friendly cars. The rest of the site I planned as a park where people can Roaming and get some facilities such as campaign, tracking ( because at present this island is famous for campaign and tracking), some kiosks, pavilions, a watch tower, resorts, public gathering space and the oceanarium. One's final destination will be this island's oceanarium [the underwater world]. Anyone interested in staying here can stay in the resort or the camp.

The site was chosen for its close proximity to the ocean due to the large water supply required to maintain the Aquarium exhibits. In order to achieve these goals, the project had to be approached with many factors in mind, such as aesthetically, mechanically, structurally, etc. The project took a lot of analysis [ site analysis, climate analysis, existing situation and animal analysis, tree analysis, birds analysis, Bay of Bengal’s fish analysis, aquarium pattern and type analysis, material analysis and so on ] based on what an aquarium is and what its uses are. Sea creatures are now endangered due to mankind's pollution. Their natural habitat is polluted and a lot of them are becoming extinct.

“Into the deep”[ Oceanarium master plan]

The main concept of the project comes from the depth of the Bay of Bengal. In the main oceanarium complex when one enters the entry mass has some options such as an oceanarium, marine biology research center, museum, dolphinarium, herpetarium, trail with a watch tower, recreational facilities, outdoor exhibition, and other facilities to conserve and promote marine life and landscape. There have been dolphin shows in the dolphinarium three times.

In the main aquarium after entering people will see freshwater aggressive fishes. Then he will go to the 3rd floor and feel the sea animals from the upper level to the deep coral reefs and creatures. There are different types of galleries and tanks such as jellyfish, coral reefs, coral creatures, freshwater fishes, shark tanks, sea horses, octopus squid, aggressive fish, tunnels, bay windows, and so on. Again there is also a service room for every tank, service floor, and staff room. Medical room, food preparation space, food storage, observation room, pump room, water reservoir, service corridor, emergency exit, theater, kids zone, game zone, and so on. One can visit the whole complex in 4 to 5 hours.

Also, public functions will be provided to encourage tourists and local people to blend in with the activities and enjoy nature. Oceanariums also contribute to conservation efforts by raising awareness about marine biodiversity and ecosystem protection. The journey inside the aquarium will be exciting for a visitor and also they will be able to learn a lot about sea creatures that will help them value marine life.

Entry massing contains shaded entry and plaza entry, lobby information desk , ticket counters, waiting, shops, admin restaurant, prayer room and medical corner.

The research center has a dormitory, visually connected with the oceanarium, people can see the outdoor research but can't go there. It is only for researchers and research students. The dorm is north-south facing with a full sea view and cross ventilation. The labs are mechanically controlled because of the temperature room for various sea creatures. Labs are connected with service corridor technical and mechanical corridors. There are separate service entries and vertical circulation. On the 2nd floor, there is a seminar room and library and the 1st floor has a restaurant for the researchers.

Technical information

The whole complex will be naturally ventilated excluding the admin, labs, main aquarium complex, and herpetarium. The aquarium galleries are supported by machine and service rooms in the back. The machines will also support the building from below and underneath every floor. The main tank [bay of Bengal tank] services come from the top [ where food is given and checkups and cleaning are done and the bottom where the filtration rooms and other types of machinery are put down. The center floors are for food preparation, storage, and medical service for the main tank's fish. the main tank water comes from direct deep sea with large pipes and after 1st time filled up with a small dia pipe, the pipe everyday evaporates 3% of the tank water for cleanliness and to balance the temperature, oxygen and other chemicals of seawater. There will be lighting and a heating system in the fish galleries. There will also be a water filtration system along with water pressure balancing systems. there is also a water reservoir for natural calamities.

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