ARCHIREEFS

Archireefs aims to restore degraded marine ecosystems and mobilise blue carbon to achieve carbon neutrality. The world’s first artificial reef structure 3D-printed in terracotta, invented and designed by The University of Hong Kong. The reef tiles are truly ocean-friendly and integrate biomimicry to enhance coral survivorship and growth. The reef tiles are 4 times more effective in keeping corals alive than conventional restoration methods, because encourage natural recruitment of juvenile coral and makes it easier for transplanted coral.

The tiles were fabricated utilizing a six-axis industrial robot with a 3D clay-extruder attached that is based on a DIW method (direct ink writing). The project developed a unique fabrication method that balanced the tile’s algorithmic design with the clay 3d printing strategy and the drying and firing procedures to minimize cracking and deformation. Algorithm-based adaptiveness and 3D printer’s versatility, the design can be tweaked for different environments and even organisms like mangroves and oysters.

Local: Japan
Year: 2020
AM Technology: Extrusion
Material: Terracota

Link of the original project