LOCATION: SONADIA, MOHESHKHALI; COX’S BAZAR

SITE AREA: 20.3 acres

Student Name: Faisal Ahmed

Project Year: 2024

Studio Teacher: Jubaida Gulshan Ara, Ahmad Abdul Wasi

Project Supervisor: Md. Abdullah Al-Imran Khan

Chairman of The Department: Prof. Dr. Masud Ur Rashid

University: Southeast University (SEU)

The SEA Aquarium Complex is a pioneering marine exhibition that showcases a diverse array of saltwater species, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals, within expansive tanks, facilitating public viewing and educational opportunities. This groundbreaking architectural endeavor integrates principles of sustainability, conservation, education, and leisure.

Location Map

This project, under the management of BEZA, is situated on a 910-acre site on Sonadia Island in Mohakhali, Cox's Bazar, an alluring destination for tourists to immerse themselves in the splendor of the sea.

The underlying premise of the project is to prioritize sustainability while minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment. Its key objectives include promoting marine biodiversity, facilitating educational initiatives, supporting research and conservation efforts, advocating for environmental protection, preserving cultural heritage, fostering tourism and recreation, enhancing aesthetic appeal, and cultivating stress-relieving experiences. The design approach was carefully crafted to harmonize with the local ecosystem, thoughtfully incorporating the region's marine life, coastal geography, and unique environmental factors.

The design strategy fundamentally aims to integrate contemporary architectural elements with the natural surroundings, utilizing innovative approaches to enhance functionality and visual appeal while preserving the ecological balance.

Sketch

The project includes:

* Conservation of Marine Biodiversity – The project creates areas for the display and conservation of marine species including fish, coral reefs, sharks and dolphins.

* Educational opportunities – including interactive exhibits, theater and library, aimed at educating visitors about the marine ecosystem and its importance.

* Research and Conservation – Dedicated research institutes enable scientists to study marine species in a controlled environment. which supports conservation efforts

* Tourism and recreation - walking trails, observation towers aquarium and cultural sites Helps enhance the visitor experience

* Cultural Preservation – The design promotes respect for local culture and the marine environment by combining traditional maritime practices with modern displays.

The design incorporates a strategic roadway design for direct, seamless access to the site, enhancing accessibility and navigation for the visitors.

Life cycle

Form development

Masterplan:

The project comprises three distinct segments:

● The Public Exhibition:

As the visitors enter, they experience a journey that tells the tale of the ocean. Diverse aquariums featuring different species of coral and fish, sharks and dolphins, tell the story of their individuality. The journey continues upstairs, where preserved flora and fauna are displayed. As the journey proceeds to the lowermost floor, the visitors experience an auditorium, a library and a 4D theatre, which serve to broaden their understanding about marine life

● Semi-Public Exhibition Zone

Houses conservation-precise tanks, along with quarantine and breeding tanks, and a coral reef exhibition. Accessible to researchers and traffic in managed settings to make certain minimal disturbance to marine existence.

● Research Institute

A secluded place devoted to analysis, housing facilities for 20 researchers, inclusive of a studies pool, quarantine tanks, and education tanks.

Promotes marine life and species conservation in quiet and useful resource-rich surroundings.

Trails and Accessibility:

To reduce the environmental footprint, the site is connected through trails made of eco-friendly materials like recyclable wood and bamboo. These trails lessen human impact while allowing site visitors to explore mangrove forests, coastal areas, and jungles. The design prioritizes pedestrian movement and seamless navigation, ensuring accessibility for all.

Considering the biodiversity of the environment, all the lights of the project will be switched off at dusk so that the birds can sleep in peace. Environmentally hazardous plastics will not be introduced in this project.  So, nature can flourish without any hindrance.

Green Roof:

The innovative "Super Roof" concept is a green roof that blends seamlessly with the natural landscape. The superstructure is made of concrete and spec truss, with a layer of coco peat soil, allowing for the cultivation of lush grass that maintains temperature uniformity. “Aquaponic” and “Rainwater harvesting” methods have been adopted for the water management system.

Special features:

Cocopeat topsoil: Supports native grasses and plants. while maintaining a consistent temperature.

Observation Tower: Visitors can enjoy spectacular views and interact with the animals on the island.

Energy efficiency: The roof acts as an insulator. Helps reduce energy use in climate control.

Sustainability characteristics

●  Eco-friendly material

This project uses locally sourced recycled materials such as wood, bamboo and natural stone.

Avoiding environmentally harmful plastics helps ensure the long-term health of the ecosystem.

●  Energy and water management

Rainwater Harvesting: A sustainable water collection system for reuse at the factory.

Aquaponics: Combining fishing with growing plants. Demonstrates sustainable agriculture.

●  Protection of biological diversity

Mangrove areas are protected as natural barriers and habitat for coastal plants.All lights are turned off at dusk to ensure that nocturnal wildlife, especially birds, can sleep undisturbed.

●  Climate adaptationz

trails and buildings are designed to withstand climate change and coastal challenges. To ensure the resiliency of the park

Integration of technology:

The park uses cutting-edge technology to enhance the visitor experience and support research.

The main components are:

Interactive displays: 3D and 4D holograms, digital displays, touch pools

Virtual Reality Simulation: Allow visitors virtually explore the underwater ecosystem.

Real-time monitoring: Provides information on marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. which contributes to conservation research

Cultural and aesthetic attractions:

The design celebrates the natural beauty of Sonadia Island while promoting cultural appreciation. Architectural forms inspired by coral reefs, underwater caves and sea formations create a sense of discovery. It bridges the gap between history and innovation by integrating traditional maritime practices and modern performances.

Facilities and activities for visitors

Marine Exhibits: Individual tanks for freshwater and saltwater species, reef tanks, shark tanks, stingray tanks and dolphins.

Interactive areas: touch pool, fossil exhibition and amazing theater

Recreational areas: coffee shop, souvenir shop, indoor seating, and bleachers.

Research facilities: Breeding tanks, research facilities and dedicated office space for scientists.

Observation Towers: Provides breathtaking views of the island's landscape and seascape.

Tank prototype

Main entry

Main entry area

Tank deck

Coral reef tank

Coral reef tank

Dolphinarium

Dolphinarium

Effects and benefits

The park has been designed to provide multidimensional benefits:

* Environmental support: Raising awareness about the importance of marine conservation.

* Educational Opportunities: Expanding knowledge through interactive and immersive experiences.

* Tourism and Recreation: Establishing Sonadia as an important ecotourism destination.

* Cultural Preservation: To respect traditional maritime practices and demonstrate their relevance.

* Stress reduction and wellbeing: Provides a tranquil natural space to relax and connect with nature.

Jury Criticism:

"This project is an ambitious synthesis of ecological awareness, marine education, and architectural storytelling. It thoughtfully interweaves biodiversity, public engagement, and climate-sensitive strategies into a seamless design."

• The narrative structure—from public to semi-public to research zones—demonstrates strong spatial sequencing. It offers a comprehensive journey from spectacle to scientific engagement, ideal for layered visitor experiences.

• The project exhibits a strong environmental consciousness—turning off lights at dusk, using cocopeat green roofs, and eliminating plastic are all commendable, and rarely seen this consistently in conceptual work.

• I particularly appreciate the integration of cultural references through maritime tradition and architectural symbolism drawn from coral reefs and sea caves.

• Educational layering is effective: 4D theatres, interactive exhibits, and libraries create robust learning environments, offering potential for both casual visitors and dedicated researchers.

I suggest elaborating on how the architectural forms emerge from site forces. Can you visually narrate how coral geometry or wave patterns drive the form-making?

While aquaponics and rainwater harvesting are included, a schematic systems diagram would help assess the efficiency and interconnectivity of the sustainable strategies.

A deeper dive into the material sourcing logistics (especially for such a remote site) could strengthen the proposal’s feasibility.

-Ar.Mahtab Hussain,mw3 Design+Partners

"This proposal presents a bold vision for eco-tourism in Bangladesh. It’s forward-thinking, immersive, and demonstrates a rare attempt at blending recreation with research at a highly sensitive coastal location."

• The project's programmatic richness is its biggest strength. From touch pools to research tanks, observation towers to green trails—this is clearly designed for a variety of users and moods.
• The zoning logic is commendable: separating public attractions from controlled research environments ensures functional clarity and animal well-being.
• The inclusion of a “Super Roof” system using cocopeat and native grass is both performative and symbolic—blending the structure into the landscape while offering thermal benefits.
• The decision to avoid nighttime lighting to respect bird migration patterns is an example of next-level sensitivity. This detail stands out as a design ethic, not just a strategy.

From a visitor management perspective, the proposal would benefit from clearer articulation of crowd flow, queue systems, and entry-exit logic, especially given its scale.

Given the complex technological integration (VR, holograms, real-time monitoring), a clearer infrastructure and power plan are essential. How will tech upkeep be managed in an island setting?

I would recommend the addition of a phased development strategy - to realistically stage construction and minimize ecological disruption during execution.

-Ar.Shafique Rahman,Principal Architect, Trikon Architects

Fresh water fish tank

Salt water fish tank

Shark tank tunnel

Preserved Species & Fossils