Yves Béhar and FuseProject have conceived a futuristic project for Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center (FCOLC), it’s called PROTEUS. Basically PROTEUS functions just like International Space Station, except that this one is underwater. Well, as an International Underwater Station, this place would be a platform for International collaboration among academics, researchers, government agencies, and corporations to advance further in science that will benefit the future of our planet especially in oceanic scientific breakthrough.

PROTEUS station would be a comfortable habitat for scientists to work for long periods of time underwater, carrying out a variety of research missions.

Featuring 4,000 square feet platform, PROTEUS by FuseProject is three to four times larger than any previously built submarine habitats. It can accommodate up to 12 people at once. Applying the concept of a spiral, those legs attached to the ocean floor are adaptable to variable terrain. There are several modular pods attached to the main body that will accommodate variety of uses such as storage room, laboratories, medical bays, life support systems, sleeping quarters, and bathrooms. The largest pod would contain a moon pool allowing submersibles to dock. These modular pods can be attached or detached depending on the needs of its users over time.

PROTEUS is a two levels platform, they are connected by a spiral ramp to encourage physical activity and movement of its inhabitants. The ramp connects to the main areas, which have been designed to be inviting and comfortable. This is specially important because most facilities don’t have this approach, they just forget about comfort and sense of a home in favor of cold utility. The main areas include a living room, kitchen, dining, and work areas.

One thoughtful features of PROTEUS International Underwater Station is underwater greenhouse. This way, inhabitants can grow fresh plant food to solve the challenge of not being to cook with open flames.
To solve two of biggest challenges when staying underwater for longer spans of time is lack of natural light and social isolation, PROTEUS provides central spaces that provide physical comfort, social connection, and professional collaboration. It can gather light as much as possible through multiple windows, on top, and around the sides of its spaceship like structure.