The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has named the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion the winner of its 2026 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award. ASCE presented the award on October 15 at the OPAL Gala in Reston, Virginia. The OCEA was established in 1960 and honors projects that show superior civil engineering skill and make a significant contribution to the profession and to society. The Ocean Pavilion earned the top award out of 12 OCEA Honor Award projects nationwide.
The Pavilion is the final piece of Seattle's waterfront redevelopment. It connects Pike Place Market to Puget Sound and offers visitors an immersive look at ocean life. Ardurra designed the aquatic life support systems that make that experience possible.
Ardurra's design covers 500,000 gallons of total capacity, including exhibits, seawater storage, and treatment systems. The centerpiece is the 350,000-gallon Coral Canyon Exhibit, known as "The Reef." Its attached acclimation tank, holding tank, amphitheater, and large overhead viewing oculus let visitors see thriving reef communities from several angles, while the habitat itself stays in ideal condition.
Ardurra also designed the Archipelago Exhibits: a 20,000-gallon coral reef and an 8,000-gallon mangrove display. The mangrove forest extends above the water's surface, and large acrylic windows let visitors view it at multiple levels.
A full suite of treatment technologies protects water quality across these different ecosystems:
Filtration and circulation: high-efficiency pumps and sand filters
Disinfection: UV sterilization and ozone
Water polishing: protein skimmers that remove organic waste
Climate: temperature control matched to each habitat's needs
Degassing towers: these support beneficial bacteria and safely deaerate the water before it returns to the habitats
Together, these systems give the Seattle Aquarium exceptional display capabilities while maintaining the highest standards for animal care and water quality.
“Being recognized among the top civil engineering projects in the country is a real honor for our team,” said Chris Eccles, Ardurra’s aquatics group leader. “I want visitors to leave with a renewed appreciation for marine life and marine environments, and also an appreciation for the engineering that goes on behind the scenes to maintain the water quality in those exhibits.”
Ardurra congratulates the Seattle Aquarium, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, LMN Architects, and the entire project team on this well-deserved recognition.
Learn more about the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion project.
What does it take to keep a 350,000-gallon coral reef thriving in downtown Seattle? Ardurra’s Chris Eccles takes you behind the glass at the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion to show how his team’s life support systems keep sharks, rays, and living coral healthy, using water drawn straight from Puget Sound.