Located at the edge of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles owes its existence to the Pacific Ocean, which flows into the Port through the Strait of San Juan de Fuca.

The Marine Discovery Center, on the City’s waterfront, will be a new public aquarium and science center highlighting marine life, science and conservation, while weaving in maritime and cultural history. It will also tell the story of place, including the history of the native tribal residents of the Olympic coast. Members of several tribal nations met with the MIG team to share their history and how they have used and lived with the ocean. Other stakeholders and the Port Angeles community also offered viewpoints at design workshops and community meetings.  

New exhibits will explore local waters, the science that is changing them, and how visitors can become stewards of the ocean. Interactive elements like touch tanks, remotely operated vehicle manipulation, hands-on experiences, and back-of-house displays will allow visitors to dive deep into the world of ocean life and its importance for the planet. 

MIG provided conceptual and pre-design services for this 20,000 square-foot center, which will be an iconic and inspiring building that educates and fosters ocean advocacy.