In late 2024, Unusual Projects was commissioned by The Deep, one of the UK’s most prestigious aquariums, to design and install a dual-aspect immersive experience. The project tells the vital story of the USS Kittiwake, a naval vessel intentionally sunk off the Grand Cayman Islands to create an artificial reef. The exhibit serves as a powerful educational tool, demonstrating how conservationists are battling coral bleaching and global warming by creating man-made habitats to regenerate marine life.

Creating a hyper-realistic shipwreck 6 metres underwater presented extraordinary engineering and biological challenges. Our team had to solve for:

• Marine Compatibility: Every material used in-tank had to be 100% marine-grade and pH-neutral to protect the sensitive aquatic life. Traditional materials like stainless steel were rejected due to the corrosive nature of salt water and aquarium chemicals.

• Structural Complexity: The design required the ship’s bow to list on two rakes (30° and 15°) to match its real-world position on the seabed.

• Biological Safety (Husbandry): We had to ensure no fish could become trapped beneath the structure. This required a custom GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) grating system that allowed for water filtration while acting as a secure barrier.

 Because of the project's unique nature, we conducted an intensive R&D phase before starting production.

• Advanced Materials: We utilized a "Meccano-style" structural frame made of GRP I-beams and C-sections, secured entirely with PVC fixings. The deck and hull were fabricated from CNC-cut PVC sheets, welded together for absolute durability.

• Bespoke Marine Resins: Standard scenic concrete (Theme Crete) will not adhere to GRP or PVC. We sourced a specialist marine-safe resin and developed a custom powder-thickening process to allow our sculptors to hand-mould realistic "crustacean" textures and coral growth directly onto the panels.

• Sub-Surface Logistics: The entire wreck was designed as a modular system. This allowed each section to be winched 6 metres down into the tank and reassembled in the tank —a process we successfully completed within a one-week installation window.

 The project is split into two distinct but visually connected zones:

·        In-Tank: The Sunken Bow Visitors look through the viewing window at a submersed replica of the USS Kittiwake. The scene is populated with large-scale themed props, including a massive winding winch, access hatches, and bollards, all covered in 15 years' worth of simulated coral growth and calcification.

·         The Gallery: The Ship’s Bridge On the public side of the glass, the theming continues seamlessly, making visitors feel as though they are standing on the bridge of the ship looking out over the bow. This area features atmospheric "flickering" bulkhead lights and industrial textures to heighten the immersion.

By involving the client in workshop visits and providing a detailed breakdown of our material science from the outset, we delivered the project without the need for value engineering. The result is a world-class exhibit that balances the high-impact visual of a shipwreck with the delicate requirements of a living marine environment