James Cook University – Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility (MARF)

The James Cook University Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility (MARF) is a marine aquaculture research facility replacing ageing aquatic research infrastructure at JCU’s Townsville Campus. Oceanis designed the new development and led early-phase planning through feasibility, business case development, and design management as the prime consultant.

The new development designed by Oceanis comprises two laboratory blocks, each with forty controlled-environment wet labs, four large semi-enclosed flexible aquarium tank spaces, a new central water treatment plant, life support systems for individual laboratories, research spaces, teaching areas, a quarantine facility, and support facilities.

Oceanis acted as the prime consultant, managing the project team through detailed site review, functional brief development, final feasibility study, business case development, and design. This role focused on aligning facility planning with research, teaching, quarantine, and operational requirements—ensuring the new laboratory and aquatic infrastructure could replace legacy assets with fit-for-purpose, integrated systems across wet labs, flexible aquarium spaces, and centralised treatment.