SEAGROWN CENTRE

A SEA CHANGE FOR SCARBOROUGH

Seagrown are developing a pioneering offshore seaweed farm in the cold, clean waters of the North Sea. Part of their mission is to educate the public about the amazing benefits that growing seaweed on an industrial scale presents to the world. We helped them turn an old supply and survey vessel into a floating HQ – the Seagrown Centre – complete with laboratory, cafe, bar and visitor centre, and in the process have created an iconic landmark in the harbour of their home port of Scarborough.

OUR BRIEF

After we developed their brand identity (case study here), the Seagrown team asked us to create the look and feel for a Visitor Centre aboard the MV Southern Star that invites people to connect with the brand, provides opportunities to educate adults and children about the benefits of ocean-farmed seaweed, and enables interactions.

The Southern Star has a rich history, having worked as a supply vessel in the Great Barrier Reef, a survey vessel in the Falkland Islands, and even in anti-piracy operations, since being built in Australia 1973. SeaGrown wanted to acknowledge the journey she has been on and to build a beacon for the brand in Scarborough Harbour.

With a shop, café, bar and educational centre onboard, the Visitor Centre is multi-purpose and needed to be accessible to all. Visitors include holiday makers and passers-by as well as school trips and tours.

OUR ANSWER

The Southern Star’s hull has been re-painted in the brand’s dark navy with a huge kelp swirl logo applied to the bow. The ships funnels have been painted hi-vis red to create stand out, and we have utilised flags and banners to invite people from across the harbour. If the flags are flying, the Southern Star is open and visitors are welcome aboard! Careful consideration has also been given to lighting so as to highlight the centre to evening visitors to Scarborough.

THE IMPACT

Highly visible and a hive of activity, the SeaGrown Centre aboard the Southern Star has become a much talked about and much-loved iconic landmark in Scarborough Harbour.

It attracts all kinds of visitors – from passers-by popping in for a coffee, to those with a specific interest in the work of Seagrown, for whom it is a destination.

It has enabled the Seagrown team to begin to tell their story and bring their journey to life, and with displays and hands-on exhibits and events coming in the future the Centre will become a hugely important educational hub, highlighting the benefits of the pioneering work that Seagrown are undertaking in the North Sea.

WHAT THE CLIENT SAID

“It has been such a joy to work with Carruthers Tanner on the branding of the Seagrown Centre. They approached the project with the same level of excitement we felt about bringing the MV Southern Star to Scarborough, and the outcome is beyond our expectations!”

WAVE CROOKES
CO-FOUNDER, SEAGROWN