The Ocean Institute retained Bauer and Wiley Architects to provide programming, architecture, interior design, and engineering for the Institute's new home, the Ocean Education Center in Dana Point, California. Located on an extraordinary coastal site just north of San Diego, this innovative learning environment offers opportunities to explore marine life, oceanography, science, and California history. Students can voyage onto the ocean, study in labs, and live aboard tall ships where they can see live specimens and observe migrating whales.

A new ocean front park provides entry to the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge. The wood and glass concrete buildings seek a balance of energy conscious sustainable design while recalling coastal California marine labs. The 35,000 GSF, $16 million project includes a multipurpose auditorium, bookstore, marine laboratories, aquarium exhibits, learning centers, and sea animal life-support systems.

Bauer and Wiley contracted with Marshall Long Acoustics to be the acoustical engineers of record. We provided noise and vibration control, interior acoustics, and exterior noise control to protect the local residents.

The project received a number of awards including: 2003 Wood Design & Building Magazine Award, 2003 AIA Orange County Honor Award, 2006 Excellence on the Waterfront Award, and 2007 AIA CAE Educational Facility Design Award