Atlanta-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm TVS has completed the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), a 146,000-square-foot facility in Sarasota designed for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Envisioned as a new flagship for marine science, research, and education, the project combines immersive visitor experiences with state-of-the-art laboratories to advance Mote’s mission of protecting and restoring ocean ecosystems.
Situated at a prominent entry point to Sarasota and Manatee counties, Mote SEA will welcome an anticipated 700,000 guests in its first year. The project unites architectural innovation with Mote’s mission to expand marine science access for the public and researchers alike.
“Mote SEA presented TVS with an incredible opportunity to design both a civic landmark for Sarasota and an active research hub for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium,” says Rob O’Keefe, Principal at TVS. “We aspired for the architecture to reflect Mote’s 70-year legacy of innovation and engage future generations of marine scientists, ecological stewards, and everyday guests who care about our marine ecosystems.”
Inside, the guest experience unfolds along a three-story path that blends science, education, and discovery. The journey begins with an escalator or elevator ride directly to the third floor, where immersive open-air habitats for otters and manatees introduce guests to Florida’s native ecology. Also on the third floor are behind-the-scenes laboratories offering views of scientists conducting live research and virtual reality experiences.
Moving to the second floor, guests encounter Indo-Pacific habitats home to colorful fish and intricate reef systems, alongside additional galleries and interactive exhibits that deepen understanding of the ocean environment. The experience concludes on the ground level, anchored by the two-floor Florida’s Gulf Coast habitat, home to local marine species, alongside multipurpose assembly space, classrooms, laboratories, and community areas.
By combining education with engagement, the building transforms marine science from something observed into something directly experienced. Three STEM classrooms serve K–12 students from across the region, and five workforce training labs create hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. This multi-layered approach ensures that Mote’s work not only informs the public but also cultivates the next generation of marine scientists and conservationists.
Designed for durability and flexibility in Sarasota’s coastal environment, the building also integrates climate-responsive strategies, shaded exterior areas, adaptable exhibit halls, and laboratories that can evolve alongside advances in marine science.
Image Courtesy of: Mote SEA & TVS
“Creating a project as visible and important as Mote SEA meant balancing storytelling with pragmatism,” adds Jonathan Henry, Associate Principal at TVS. “From the building’s expressive form to its resilient façade system, every design decision was made to communicate Mote’s mission while ensuring the building can serve guests from all over the world for generations to come.”
Anchored by its innovative design and mission-driven programming, the Mote Science Education Aquarium establishes a new benchmark for how design can advance science, education, and community engagement. Serving as both a civic landmark for Sarasota and a symbol of Mote’s global leadership in marine research, conservation, and restoration, the aquarium connects Florida’s marine habitats with global ocean ecologies.
About TVS
TVS is an award-winning architecture, master planning, and interior design firm with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida. As a 100% employee-owned firm, TVS delivers high-impact environments, bringing thoughtful perspectives to civic, mixed-use, office and workplace, cultural, hospitality, convention center, sports, retail, education, and healthcare projects of every scale. This multi-disciplinary, multi-market diversity enables TVS to support its clients’ most complex aspirations.
Founded in 1968 by Bill Thompson, Tom Ventulett, and Ray Stainback, TVS established a strong footprint in Atlanta by designing premier cultural landmarks for the city, growing its geographical scope to include projects across the U.S. and around the globe. TVS is guided by three core principles: Listen, Solve, Deliver. Collaborating closely with its clients, TVS purposefully crafts immersive environments that resonate with each unique audience and user while reflecting local contexts. For more, visit tvsdesign.com or @tvsdesign.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Mote SEA & TVS
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