What: The St. Croix Research Station is to focus on the rehabilitation of the highly endangered African penguin species and to conduct research on the greater marine ecology of the island. The site is extremely sensitive to human intervention, therefore its importance revolved around its ecological footprint or lack thereof. The result I had reached was to design a tensile structure that required minimal  disturbance to the context, it is shaped to achieve optimum aerodynamics and faced north for maximum exposure for solar radiation whereby it will obtain its electricity. Planter boxes have been incorporated for fresh produce to sustain its inhabitants. The accommodation schedule was to allow for 4 scientists to visit of a duration of 3 months at a time, and required a wet and dry laboratory to conduct research on the African Penguin. My intention was to design the research and living quarters each in their own separate wings,  resulting in optimal space for work and living. Below you will find the presentation panels of my design.

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Where: The site given was located in Algoa Bay, 16 kilometers east of the Kouga Harbour of Port Elizabeth. St. Croix is an island that is predominately inhabited by the African Penguin.