Architecture studio Tatiana Bilbao Estudio created the Sea of Cortez Research Center in Mazatlán, Mexico. It is located right by the ocean and is part of an overarching project for the Mazatlán Central Park. The building is meant to reassemble a ruin that has been flooded in order to breathe new life into a thriving exosystem that follows after the water recedes. The structure seamlessly blends human and animal life together through three levels connecting a series of chambers for marine life along with green space. The center has a touch tank, a stingray tank, and a large ocean tank.
The studio explains the design concept, "Imagine it was 2289, and we came across a building constructed in 2023 without knowing its purpose or reason. All we knew was that in 2100, rising sea levels inundated it, but by 2227, the water had receded, leaving behind a thriving marine life. When we arrived, we opened pathways, created staircases, and unlocked the possibilities to encounter a world that had taken over this space – a world normally hidden from our view."
Rustic Ruin-Inspired Aquariums
Tatiana Bilbao Estudio Designs The Sea of Cortez Research Center
Trend Themes
1. Ruin-inspired Architecture - Opportunity to create architectural designs that mimic the appearance of ancient ruins to connect with nature and revitalize ecosystems.
2. Seamless Human-animal Blending - Opportunity to design spaces that seamlessly integrate human and animal life, promoting biodiversity and creating immersive experiences.
3. Aquariums as Ecosystems - Opportunity to develop aquariums that serve as self-sustaining ecosystems, fostering the growth and conservation of marine life.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architects can explore the use of ruin-inspired designs to create unique and sustainable structures in harmony with the environment.
2. Tourism and Hospitality - The tourism and hospitality industry can leverage the concept of seamless human-animal blending to create immersive and educational experiences for visitors.
3. Aquarium and Marine Life Conservation - Organizations focused on aquariums and marine life conservation can embrace the idea of aquariums as ecosystems to promote sustainability and education.