THE RAY.

The Ray, located in Hanifaru Bay, Maldives, is a living manta ray bio bank that operates as an educational, visitor-focused, and scientific facility dedicated to the protection of endangered manta rays. The project integrates research laboratories, administrative offices, and public engagement spaces, creating a seamless interface between conservation science and immersive visitor experiences.

The building is articulated through three primary towers that spatially separate research functions from public marine viewing platforms, while maintaining visual and functional continuity across the site. Its curvilinear form, inspired by the fluid motion of manta rays, mediates between the built environment and the surrounding marine landscape, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the open Indian Ocean.

Materiality and form work in tandem to reinforce the facility’s ecological and educational mission, allowing the architecture itself to narrate a story of sustainability, scientific innovation, and human connection with nature. From the precision of laboratory spaces to the openness of observation decks, The Ray embodies a thoughtful integration of function, context, and experience, establishing a dialogue between architecture, environment, and the living organisms it seeks to protect.