The Alaska SeaLife Center

The Alaska SeaLife Center is the first facility of its kind to be designed with the missions of research, rehabilitation and public education. Dedicated to understanding the effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and maintaining the integrity of marine ecosystems for future generations, the 96,000 square foot building is the largest cold water marine research facility in the Northern Hemisphere. The SeaLife Center’s research areas were designed to allow public viewing where possible. For example, wet labs can be viewed through a special grate separator and many holding tanks can be observed through viewing windows. The laboratory facilities are also very flexible to accommodate changing researchers and subjects.

The project was awarded the American Institute of Architects Alaska Chapter, Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture in 1999.