Aquaculture
Projects
What is Aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, in controlled aquatic environments. Often called “aquafarming,” it is a critical and growing industry. It supplements wild fisheries by providing a sustainable source of food, supporting conservation efforts through stock enhancement programs, and driving scientific innovation in marine and freshwater biology. This practice occurs in a variety of settings, from land-based tanks and ponds to open-water cages and raceways.
Architecture supporting aquaculture
VIA is known for our work in coastal floodplains and waterfront settings, providing flood-proof, resilient building and site design solutions for marine scientists, aquaculture researchers, and aquaculture farmers. These facilities are highly specialized and uniquely focused on the people who occupy them, the marine life housed within them, and the water systems that run through them. These sites are often handpicked for access to non-augmented water salinities or purities, and each comes with its own set of environmental challenges.
All aquaculture research and production facilities have fundamental program elements and existing site conditions that put our team of architectural and engineering specialists to task, as designing for aquaculture goes far beyond traditional building design. It’s about creating a specialized environment that supports a complex biological system. An aquaculture facility is a finely tuned, integrated machine where the building is just one component. Our extensive experience working with a wide range of clients—from academic institutions and research centers to government organizations and private commercial firms—has given us fluency in the unique needs of these facilities. This expertise allows us to effectively communicate and translate the complex operational requirements of end users into a clear design strategy for our A/E partners.
VIA’s expertise is built on addressing these key layers of a project:
Coastal resilience
Designing for coastal environments requires resilient and flood-proof construction. We use multiple techniques to ensure continuous operation, even during major weather events.
Durable Materials
Meticulous material selection is critical due to constant exposure to water, salt, and humidity. We specify robust, corrosion-resistant materials for the structure, plumbing, and finishes to ensure long-term durability.
Specialized Systems
The heart of an aquaculture facility is its life support system. We integrate complex systems for water filtration, environmental control, and efficient pumping to maintain ideal conditions for the aquatic life.
Operational Flow
We prioritize efficient layouts that streamline daily operations, from handling delicate organisms to the final harvesting of products.
Project Experience
Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore research complex
Since 2008, VIA has served as the architect for the VIMS Eastern Shore complex, a comprehensive marine research facility located in Wachapreague, Virginia. Over 14 years, we designed nine new buildings, many of which were built in the coastal floodplain and required resilient, flood-proof engineering. These facilities include a specialized Seawater Lab and Aquaculture Hatchery with dedicated seawater circulation systems, along with various other structures such as a classroom, administrative building, and maintenance facility. Our work ensured that the campus could not only support the diverse research, education, and public service missions of VIMS but also withstand the unique environmental challenges of its waterfront location.
Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Rivers Research Facility
In 2019, VIA was selected by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to design a new research facility at their Rice Rivers Center. We utilized intensive feasibility workshops to develop a functional, working facility that supported the campus’s core research in river ecosystems. The design process required careful consideration of the environmentally sensitive site, which included a bald eagle nest and various wetlands. The final facility seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings while providing world-class researchers and students with a flexible and advanced space for scientific exploration and public outreach, including a range of structures for research, offices, and maintenance.
Your specialized project requires an architectural partner who understands your unique needs. Whether you’re in the early planning phases and need a comprehensive feasibility study to pursue funding, or you’ve already secured funding and are ready to begin the design phase, our team is equipped to help. Contact us to get started.