Shusha Island Reserve (Coral Nursery) – Red Sea

Designed to be a facility where tourists can explore reef species and environments, and in which researchers can work and interact with state-of-the-art technology, whilst both  also having direct access to the reef.

This is a unique project that showcases marine research and coral reef species in a tourism and leisure environment.

A joint project between King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and NEOM, the Shushah Island Marine Facility is an integral part of land based coral nursery facilities being built to establish the world’s largest coral garden at Shushah Island, in the Red Sea area of NEOM, northwest of Saudi Arabia.

Set to be completed in 2025, Oceanis is designing a world-class research centre to be co-located with the island’s super-luxury facilities, blending the needs of the beautiful island resort environment with the research infrastructure required for the educational research hub and access to Red Sea reefs.

Comprising natural seawater intakes and coral growth capabilities, the facility will enable researchers to study and interact with fellow researchers and allow for students, tourists and eco-conscious travellers to learn about the local reef and its ecology while the reef is being restored through the efforts of the KAUST initiative.

It will include visitor and staff facilities, laboratories, aquaria and life support systems for this exceptional facility’s aquaria space designed to support a 100-hectare coral garden reefscape restoration, to showcase restoration innovations and accelerate solutions for conservation of coral reefs in a changing climate.

Oceanis has worked within an international multi-disciplinary team with the building’s architect based in Spain, leading coordination of all spatial planning for the facility.