PM Africa Magazine Issue 02 | Page 19

Cover Story testing was done on the pipe work, the area around the pipes was also reinforced and covered, and more reinforcement added on top, the pouring began. It took 11 hours and 23 cement trucks to pour the base of the new exhibit. This had to be done in one go, otherwise the cement would settle in layers. Thereafter, the base was left underwater for five days. Additional to the new indoor exhibit, the roof area will house an aquarist room, as well as the new dive train-ing pool and centre The professional team involved in the Two Oceans Aquarium expansion project, include Project Manage-ment Company Mitchell DuPlessis and Associates, who have over 30 years’ experience in their fields of expertise and enjoy an extensive knowledge of the V&A Waterfront, having for many years managed the wide variety of high profile V&A Waterfront projects and developments, and MLH Architects & Planners. “Building a big new exhibit is the next best thing to building a new aquarium. It offers fantastic learning op-portunities for staff. Our new exhibit will allow us to showcase beautiful marine animals and to further our education and awareness about the oceans. I am very proud to be project managing this expansion on behalf of the Aquarium,” said Mike de Maine, the Aquarium’s Technical Manager. The Aquarium expansion project is one of several development projects underway at the V&A Waterfront. According to David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront and Chairperson of the Aquarium’s Board of Trus-tees, “The official start of this project brings with it much anticipation for the improved offering that will be unveiled. This project falls in line with our continued development with the view to improvement, reinvention and innovation, raising the bar and making the visitor experience that much better”. Professional Team Mitchell Du Plessis & Associates MLH Architects & Planners january 2015 — PM Africa Magazine 17