The National Aquarium Harbor Wetland project was recently recognized by Building Congress & Exchange (BC&E) with an Overall Building Award in the New Construction Under $10 Million category and a Craftsmanship Award.
The Overall Building Award in the New Construction Under $10 Million category is presented to an initiative that exemplifies superior craftsmanship, challenge mitigation, innovative solutions, and client satisfaction. The Craftsmanship Award is presented to a project team that demonstrated exceptional hands-on work, contributing to the initiative’s excellence through direct involvement. The Harbor Wetland project team was formally recognized at BC&E’s annual Craftsmanship Awards ceremony held in Baltimore.
In partnership with the National Aquarium, KCI worked to design and build the world’s first tidal, low-freeboard, variable ballast floating wetland. Spanning a decade of research, design, and construction, the project features a modular, scalable platform system and a buoyancy mechanism that adapts to tidal conditions, plant growth, and marine fouling. The wetland integrates oyster habitats, airlifts, and native plantings to improve water quality and support biodiversity. Since its completion, it has attracted native species such as otters, herons, and fish, demonstrating its success in habitat restoration. The wetland also serves as a free, interactive exhibit that engages thousands of visitors annually in environmental education.