The Seattle Aquarium, a 69,400-square-foot facility located on Pier 59, has been a cornerstone of the city’s waterfront since 1977. Home to diverse aquatic and land exhibits, a restaurant, gift shop, and event space, the Aquarium partnered with MacDonald-Miller to enhance comfort, improve system performance, and reduce energy consumption through a comprehensive energy retrofit.

Following a comprehensive Investment Grade Audit (IGA), MacDonald-Miller identified key opportunities to improve the Aquarium’s energy efficiency and system performance. The resulting project implemented targeted upgrades and new equipment installations, including a new HVAC controls system for improved energy management and reliability, LED lighting retrofits to reduce electrical load and maintenance costs, two destratification fans and three new air handling units to optimize air circulation, four furnaces and two boilers for efficient heating and climate control, attic insulation upgrades for the historic Pier 59 structure, and performance management services to verify energy savings and guarantee financial outcomes.

The project saves up to 4,703,029 kBtu per year, an 8% reduction in total energy usage. Through data-driven analysis, innovative engineering, and performance validation, MacDonald-Miller helped the Seattle Aquarium achieve measurable energy savings while maintaining ideal environmental conditions for both guests and marine life.