Oregon Coast Aquarium

A phased transformation renewing a beloved regional aquarium for the next generation.

EHDD is leading a campus-wide renewal of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a cherished destination in Newport, Oregon, originally constructed in the early 1990s. Working closely with the Aquarium’s in-house education and leadership teams, EHDD developed a master plan that prioritizes improved visitor experience, interpretive content updates, and critical infrastructure improvements while allowing the Aquarium to remain fully operational throughout construction.

The master plan responds directly to outcomes of the Aquarium’s 2018 Strategic Planning process, which identified the need to refresh nearly 30-year-old exhibits and interpretive graphics, update guest services, and improve circulation and arrival experiences. EHDD’s phased implementation strategy includes upgrades to ticketing, café and coffee services, early childhood play areas, and interpretive tanks and signage—creating a more engaging and accessible visitor journey throughout the site.

All improvements were carefully timed around the Aquarium’s peak attendance schedule. This thoughtful, incremental transformation ensures the Oregon Coast Aquarium continues to inspire conservation education and marine curiosity for decades to come.

The 22,000-square-foot renovation includes phased improvements to visitor flow, ticketing, interpretive displays, and family-friendly amenities. Each phase was carefully timed to avoid disrupting summer attendance, ensuring continued public engagement throughout construction.