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UC Santa Barbara Ocean Science Education Building
UC Santa Barbara Ocean Science Education Building
Santa Barbara, CA, United States
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Other Projects by EHDD
UC Santa Barbara Ocean Science Education Building
Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2013
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
BUDGET
$5M - 10M
An immersive science center at the edge of land and sea, built for discovery and learning.
The Ocean Science Building at UC Santa Barbara is a 10,300-square-foot academic and outreach facility that supports two complementary programs: a K–12-focused ocean science center and office space for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. EHDD provided architecture and interior design services for the renovation of this energy-intensive, aquarium-supported facility, certified LEED Gold.
At the heart of the building is an open-air courtyard featuring a kelp tank—an ecological centerpiece that introduces visitors to the unique marine ecosystem of the nearby Channel Islands. A sustainably harvested machiche wood deck connects both programmatic wings and frames sweeping island views, anchoring the building in its coastal context.
The ocean science center includes a classroom, touch tanks, virtual theater, and an interactive representation of an ocean floor research transect, helping K–12 students explore marine ecology and oceanographic research firsthand. Office spaces for NOAA and Sanctuary staff foster ongoing stewardship and research collaboration.
Despite the high energy demands of aquarium operations, the building is designed to provide nearly 80% of its own energy needs—demonstrating that immersive educational environments and sustainable performance can go hand-in-hand.
The Ocean Science Building at UC Santa Barbara is a 10,300-square-foot academic and outreach facility that supports two complementary programs: a K–12-focused ocean science center and office space for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. EHDD provided architecture and interior design services for the renovation of this energy-intensive, aquarium-supported facility, certified LEED Gold.
At the heart of the building is an open-air courtyard featuring a kelp tank—an ecological centerpiece that introduces visitors to the unique marine ecosystem of the nearby Channel Islands. A sustainably harvested machiche wood deck connects both programmatic wings and frames sweeping island views, anchoring the building in its coastal context.
The ocean science center includes a classroom, touch tanks, virtual theater, and an interactive representation of an ocean floor research transect, helping K–12 students explore marine ecology and oceanographic research firsthand. Office spaces for NOAA and Sanctuary staff foster ongoing stewardship and research collaboration.
Despite the high energy demands of aquarium operations, the building is designed to provide nearly 80% of its own energy needs—demonstrating that immersive educational environments and sustainable performance can go hand-in-hand.
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