The Two Oceans Aquarium was conceived in the early 1990s as the anchor attraction of the emerging V&A Waterfront precinct. At the time, the site formed part of a newly cleared industrial tank yard adjacent to a historically significant building that was to be preserved and sensitively repurposed. The project presented a rare opportunity to design a highly specialised public building within a rapidly evolving urban context
| Location | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Year | Design 1990–1993 · Construction 1993–1995 |
| Client Type | Institutional / Public-facing development |
| Project Type | Cultural / Public building |
| Role | Principal Design Architect and Project Architect – Dennis Fabian Architects – Technical Coordination & Construction Execution |
| Status | Built |
Working closely with marine biologists and aquarists, the architecture was shaped by the technical and spatial requirements of large-scale aquatic environments. Extensive research, including visits to leading international aquariums, informed the design approach – particularly in relation to tank proportions, visitor circulation, and viewing conditions.
The project demanded an exceptional level of technical coordination. Tight budget constraints required careful decision-making around materials, construction methods, and specialist fabrication, including the sourcing and detailing of custom cast acrylic panels. Complex challenges during construction and commissioning required adaptability, persistence, and close collaboration across disciplines.
Completed in 1995, the Two Oceans Aquarium remains a landmark public building in Cape Town, combining architectural clarity with highly specialised technical performance. The project represents an early and formative experience for Anton de Kock in delivering complex, interdisciplinary architecture at an urban scale.
