The new 46,000-square-foot Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson is the cornerstone of development to rejuvenate the city’s entertainment corridor. Housing over 250 different animal species and more than 7,000 individual sea animals, the new landmark features an 18-foot-deep cast-in-place concrete tank with an acrylic tunnel and large viewing panels. A variety of smaller concrete and FRP pools surround the main exhibit to inspire and engage guests. 

Following MLA’s initial value engineering to ensure the project could meet its strict budget and schedule, we collaborated with the architect, MEP, and exhibit and life-support system designers to provide structural design for the building and all concrete water-holding exhibits. The building consists of masonry walls, a cast-in-place concrete second level floor, and a wood framed roof assembly, all supported by a standard shallow concrete foundation. 

The cast-in-place tanks are watertight, due to MLA’s innovative structural approach and specialized concrete mix that prevented the cost and maintenance required for a liner or separate waterproofing system. At the entry, a massive and iconic octopus sculpture—55 feet tall and 34 tons—also required MLA’s expertise. With the fabricator, we coordinated the structural walls system for a cost-effective, long-term solution.