Sealab: Marine Research Centre Bonavista

SEALAB MARINE RESEARCH C E N T R E B O N AV I S TA Z AV E N T I T I Z I A N MACK PHILLIPS

SEALAB MARINE RESEARCH C E N T R E B O N AV I S TA Z AV E N T I T I Z I A N MACK PHILLIPS

Since the closure of the East Coast Cod Fishery in 1992 and the fluctuations in aquatic populations over the past 50 years, the need for aquatic research in Newfoundland has become increasingly evident. Many of the problems that contributed to the collapse of the fishery can be attributed to the inaccuracy of fish stock estimates and the subsequent technology. The establishment of the Center for Fisheries and Ecosystems Research (CFER) in 2010 by premier Danny Williams was a large step forward for the future of research, however, there remains still a lack of proper facilities to conduct such research.

SEALAB is positioned to fill such a gap, providing a basis for the future of marine research in Newfoundland for the rebuilding of the northern cod fishery. Located in Bonavista - a growing rural town of around 3,700 - the research facility merits decentralization both economically and through its proximity to important research areas, most notably the Bonavista Corridor. By programming this underused space in Bonavista and leveraging its connection to the water and operational fishing industries, this yearround marine research center aims to both strengthen the limited efforts of current research initiatives. Much of the anticipated research will continue with the current initiatives by CFER, such as tagging, acoustic surveys, monitoring stocks and environments and testing and developing monitoring instruments. In addition, this center will serve as a node of the greater existing network of marine research for monitoring fish populations through Memorial University’s existing marine biology program.

The center also seeks to engage the community in Bonavista. Through programmatic areas such as lecture theaters, a cafĂŠ, a small library and park space, both the people of Bonavista and tourists can be connected to the new research and the greater effects of the findings. Ultimately, this design aims to propose a model for strengthening rural outport communities, positioning Newfoundland at the forefront of marine research, and developing a basis for a future, sustainable fishing industry.

INTRO

Marine research in Newfoundland has a history of almost fifty years, but its effects have always been undercut by the lack of funding and facilities. While Memorial University in conjunction with the provincial government has been able to fill a part of that gap through postsecondary research and education, there remains a need for much more professional research should Newfoundland ever desire to rebuild their fishing industry. Both programmatically and architecturally, there exists an opportunity to act on such a problem.

As part of Newfoundland’s constitution, anything relating to their fishing industry falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Thus, SEALAB would be CFER’s official government research facility, separate from Memorial University.

BONNE BAY MARINE RESEARCH STATION

COLD-OCEAN DEEP-SEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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Due both to overfishing and overestimation of biomass the Newfoundland fish stocks were decimated, leading to the Federal Government to institute multiple cod moratoriums. The most significant of these is the moratorium on Northern Cod, which is still in effect to this day. Much of the research predating CFER (Centre for Fisheries and Ecosystems Research) monitors the migrational patterns, biomass and spawning of the remaining Northern Cod.

Since its inception, CFER has continued to study the Northern Cod. Due to the migrational patterns of the cod, a good amount of this research is conducted in an area known as the Bonavista Corridor, where the cod stay in the winter after spawning and before going inshore to feed in the summer. Thus, the town of Bonavista was chosen to be a new base for the continuation of this research.

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Existing Research Facility SEALAB Past Research Mission Cod Migratory Path Fisheries Management Divisions

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B O N AV I S TA

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SEALAB (6) is located on the south side of the Bonavista harbour on an underused marine repair yard.

This allows the facility direct connection to the water and to the community. It directly addresses the room of the harbour, connecting it both spatially and visually.

A boardwalk connects SEALAB to many of the existing institutions and attractions along the harbour, such as The Ryan Premises (5), the Harbour Quarters Inn (4), the Bonavista Ocean Choice International building (3) and Ye Matthew Legacy (2). SEALAB is oriented to maximize its interaction with the harbour and promote this progression around the room.

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B O N AV I S TA LO C A L S

LO C A L & G LO B A L P R O M OT I O N

F E D E R A L G OV E R N M E N T

CONTINUING R ESE ARCH

CFER

G OV E R N M E N T I N V E S T M E N T

P R OV I N C I A L G OV E R N M E N T INITI A L PROPOS A L

R AT E O F R E L AT I V E I N V E S T M E N T

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Site Plan

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There are many important players in the inception of SEALAB which extend beyond the boundaries of the site. Foremost, there is the support of the provincial and federal governments, but also important is the support of the town of Bonavista. While falling to the same fate of ex-migration as many other Newfoundland outports, their remains a vitality to the town which has been noted by many of its residents.

This vitality is important to rebuilding outports and is one of SEALAB’s primary focuses: to engage the greater public in the research of future economies.

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The Federal Government

Paul Davis

“Just-in Time to fund Fisheries Research!”

Newfoundland’s finest current premiere

In time, SEALAB will help prove to the federal government that there are many benefits to invest in Newfoundlands marine biology research.

With initial funding provided by the provincial government, SEALAB can create a cutting edge research environment as well as an attractor for community engagement and tourism.

Marine Biology

Grade Schoolers

“Kiss da cad”

Our future rests in their little sticky fingers

Research shows both that the cod population is slowly rising. A better understanding of the marine ecosystem will improve current situations and help prevent future catastrophes.

By partnering with local schools, SEALAB can take advantage of the seasonal shift and provide a stage for learning. Giving the younger generation an appreciation and better understanding of Newfoundland’s future.

Bishop White Public School

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The Garrick Theatre Matthew Legacy Oceans Choice International Fish Plant Harbour Quarters Inn Ryan Premises SEALAB Bishop White Grade School Offshore Missions Icebergs Cod Feeding Whales

Oceans Choice International

Ye Matthew Legacy

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Harbour Quarters Inn

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Ryan Premises

John Norman

CFER Scientists

The “Baron of Bonavista”

Science Rules

People like John Norman are transforming the town of Bonavista. It currently has a growing population and an economy that can sustain a major development like SEALAB

SEALAB can act as a catalyst for innovation by providing a state of the art facility for researchers and scientists who currently have no where else.

Tourist Attractions

Tourists

Research equipment and vessel

You can tell by their confused looks and big cameras

We’re on a boat!

The proposed boardwalk will connect key tourist locations like the Ryan Premises and Ye Matthew Legacy to SEALAB, allowing pedestrians to experience the edge of the water and guide them around the harbour.

Research also shows that the research isn’t very accurate. With new equipment and the potential to create better monitoring systems, scientists can get a better understanding of the marine ecosystem.

CURRENT PROGRAM

Currently, CFER charters the Celtic Explorer from the Irish Marine Institute for between 30-40 days for one expedition a year. It is during this expedition that the bulk of CFER’s current research is conducted. While this time is sufficient enough to show the importance of the research, it severely limits the scope of CFER’s research as they are not able to collect enough comparative data at different times of the year.

Some of the research currently carried out on the Celtic Explorer includes cod tagging, acoustic imaging, oceanic oxygen level monitoring, capelin stock monitoring, etc.

RESEARCHERS’ QUARTERS DATA PROCESSING LAB WET LAB BIOPROCESSING LAB UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS IMAGING MARICULTURE LAB FISH NETS STORAGE DATA COLLECTION EQUIPMENT

PROPOSED PROGRAM

The primary motivation for SEALAB is to transfer the facilities used by CFER to a permanent, independent location. Naturally then it was necessary to include all of the facilities aboard the Celtic Explorer, such as wet labs, a bioprocessing lab, acoustic imaging equipment and space for other research equipment.

In programming the research centre, other ancillary areas were needed, such as a boathouse, offices, meeting rooms, etc. Other facilities relating to CFER’s scope of research were also included, such as a flume tank, an environmental theatre, and underwater acoustic testing tanks.

RESEARCHERS’ QUARTERS DATA PROCESSING LAB WET LAB BIOPROCESSING LAB UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS IMAGING MARICULTURE LAB FISH NETS STORAGE DATA COLLECTION EQUIPMENT

DESIGN

SEALAB is arranged in three axes – a research axis, a public axis and a tertiary axis. They are arranged to promote a mixture of public and private circulation through the site. The public axis intersects the research axis, providing views into the work of the scientists and researchers. The public enters the site primarily by way of the boardwalk, and can either enter the building through the lecture theatre or through the main entrance underneath the bridge.

The scientists and researchers enter the site primarily from the road, and into the lobby. The building is opened up at each division of program to allow for light to enter and for the public and other researchers to have views of both. The pools and test tanks are evenly distributed along the building to give breaks in the extended circulation.

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1. Axes developed via site conditions and access

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Boathouse Ready Room Information Area Visitor Foyer Equipment Storage Change Room Environmental Theatre General Lab

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Flume Tank Room Acoustics Tank Room Private Lobby Security On-Site Workshop Loading/Storage 1st & 2nd Floor Plans 1 : 1000

ENVIRONMENTAL THEATRE

VIEWING AREAS

OFFICES

FLUME TANK

UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS TANK

LOBBY UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS TANK

WET LABS

In programming the research centre, other ancillary areas were needed, such as a boathouse, offices, meeting rooms, etc. Other facilities relating to CFER’s scope of research were also included, such as a flume tank, an environmental theatre, and underwater acoustic testing tanks.

MEETING ROOMS & WORKSPACES

RESEARCH

NEW RESEARCH VESSEL

BOATHOUSE

STORAGE

RESEARCH PRESENTATION CENTRE RESTAURANT/CAFE

ENVIRONMENTAL THEATRE

PUBLIC INTERACTION

In designing the public axis of the research centre, it was important to show as much of the research as possible. Thus, the axis cuts through both the boathouse and the environmental theatre, two of the busier facilities in the centre. The progression of the boardwalk also brings people closer to the research going on outside by and on the water.

Inside the axis, a lecture theatre is incorporated for researchers and scientists to give presentations to the general public on their and other research. A small library sits above the research presentation centre, both to exhibit CFER’s and previous findings. A cafe serves both the public and the researchers.

RESEARCH STACKS

STORAGE

PRESENTATION THEATRE

AMPHITHEATRE

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RESTAURANT/CAFE

RESEARCH LIBRARY

RESEARCH PRESENTATION CENTRE

ENVIRONMENTAL THEATRE

RESTAURANT/CAFE RESEARCH LIBRARY BOATHOUSE RESEARCH PRESENTATION CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL THEATRE

SEALAB

Ultimately SEALAB aims to establish connections between Newfoundlanders and the sea, between the people of Bonavista and their waterfront and between scientists and the greater public in the hopes of laying foundations for the future of Newfoundland.