The Bay Education Center and Laboratory project was a combined effort consisting of the City of Rockport, Texas, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and Mission Aransas, National Estuarine Research Reserve. The goal of the facility is to educate the public on the importance of estuaries, especially as they relate to the Texas Gulf Coast ecosystems. The facility houses a number of programs including the City of Rockport Parks Department offices, an aquatic science learning center and an exhibition space. The contractor for the project was procured through the CMAR method. The contractor and design team worked together throughout the project to ensure that appropriate systems and materials were selected for the building to withstand the gulf coast climate where the facility is located.
