The Seattle Aquarium’s new 50,000 square foot Ocean Pavilion includes a 360,000-gallon curved saltwater tank with a circular port at ground level ca led an oculus. The tank will be home to more than 3,500 Pacific Ocean native animals and plants including sharks, rays, schooling fish and 30 species of coral.
Large amounts of curved rebar were required to properly reinforce the tank to create the bowl-shaped design and varying thickness. The design team was in collaboration with Hycrete for several years to provide a long-lasting system to protect not only the sensitive sea life, but also mitigate corrosion of the rebar used to support the tank within the concrete.
Hycrete Endure WP (formerly Hycrete W1000) additive was used to provide advanced waterproof and corrosion protection to extend the life of the 360,000-gallon saltwater tank without compromising the sea life or the architect’s vision. Hycrete’s Endure WP provided dual protection, both waterproofing the concrete and forming a protective layer over the rebar.
Hycrete was able to help simplify a very complex design and construction, provide advanced protection for both waterproofing and corrosion, while also reducing risk for the team and owner. The project is expected to be complete in 2024. Project awards include the Progressive Architecture Award and the Build Washington "Excellence in Innovation" Award.