By Geoff Percival,Stephen Aherne

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Storyland Studios, a global destination and experience design firm has entered a partnership with MSC Cruises and the MSC Foundation to design a new iconic building at the Marine Conservation Center on Ocean Cay in The Bahamas.

The MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center, inaugurated in April this year, is a base for biologists, scientists, students and island visitors. It features interactive pavilions, a lecture hall, a Bio Lab and a land-based coral nursery.

This research facility also provides educational opportunities for visitors on the importance of the marine ecosystem and the critical need to protect coral reefs, while also being the hub for the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Reefs Programme.

The new Pavilion will serve to enhance guest experience as a global hub for the MSC Foundation’s mission to protect and nurture the blue planet. Storyland will apply its design expertise to create a facility that inspires visitors, donors, and partners to engage in marine conservation, transforming complex scientific work into compelling, accessible experiences.

“The MSC Foundation building at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve represents our Destination Development philosophy,” said Johnny Davis, Senior Creative Director at Storyland Studios. “Here, at the vital intersection of Cause and Commerce, we are crafting more than a building – we are giving form to a promise. Every path, every vista, every moment is designed to weave a compelling narrative that moves guests from passive observers to active stewards of our oceans. This is where inspiration meets action, creating a living destination that embodies conservation and empowers a global community of ocean guardians.”

“We are deeply aligned with the MSC Foundation’s vision to restore the balance between people and nature,” said Sean Featonby, Director of Business Development at Storyland Studios. “This isn’t just about building a facility; it’s about designing a beacon for ocean stewardship. Our goal is to create a space that emotionally connects every visitor to the urgency and beauty of marine conservation, empowering them to become advocates for our planet’s future.”

“This is the perfect fusion of purpose and creativity,” said Marie Rayner, Director of Project Development and Sustainability Lead at Storyland Studios. “Our team is passionate about leveraging design for good, ensuring every element is rooted in sustainability and tells the authentic story of this precious environment and the efforts to protect it.”

Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair, Executive Committee of the MSC Foundation added: “This is the continuation of our multigenerational commitment to ocean conservation, and we are glad to partner with Storyland Studios. We warmly acknowledge Storyland Studios’ generosity in designing this signature pavilion for us. Their creativity and dedication will enhance the Marine Conservation Center’s role as an educational hub, inviting tens of thousands of Ocean Cay visitors each year to discover, learn, and engage with corals, while deepening their awareness of the urgency of coral conservation worldwide”.