Winner: Commercial Design of the Year

Whitsunday Airport Aquarium by DCM Building Design

“With many years’ experience designing public aquaria worldwide, DCM Building Design is aware of the challenges that arise with a specialist project of this sort. Logistics and coordination are of high importance on aquarium projects to ensure the aquarium and back of house facilities are incorporated into the building design. Tropical saltwater aquariums are a highly corrosive environment. The interior side is steel framing encased with Divinycell H grade foam and then compressed into fiberglass, given a smooth gel coat finish in a deep blue colour, ready for the interior theming to be installed. Rising to the challenge, DCM Building Design sent a moral message with a reference to the renowned Heart Reef ring. The theme of the Heart Reef creates an underlying message to appreciate Australia’s amazing Great Barrier Reef.”