BG&E collaborated with the globally acclaimed aquarium architect, James Hampton Design Partners, to carry out the structural design and documentation and to provide construction support services for the Marassi Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

The project involved the construction of an aquarium within a shell and core tenancy space in the newly built Marassi Galleria mall in Bahrain. The aquarium will be the largest in Bahrain when complete, home to more than 200 species of fish, including sharks. Four different ecological zones have been created, with over 50 unique exhibits, including interactive digital displays.

BG&E carried out the design of the aquarium exhibit elements, including the extremely large reinforcing concrete shark tank,designed to resist intense water pressures while maintaining a watertight design and facilitating the installation of Perspex viewing panels.

Design of a new mezzanine floor using composite construction was carried out, as well as structural strengthening of the base build mall structure. Strengthening was designed to ensure the existing structure could support the heavy water loads imposed by the various exhibits and additional mezzanine floor.