In November 2022, Coastruction had the honor of winning the CityLab010 competition, securing a subsidy of €81,883 to built our new Asterix printer and to fund our Reefs 'R Us project. This opportunity marked the beginning of an inspiring journey, blending creativity, sustainability, and community engagement to foster the next generation of artificial reefs. The final phase of this project was concluded last week with the successful installation of one of our purpose-built reefs in the port of Rotterdam.
The Beginning: Winning at CityLab010
Coastruction's mission and vision were recognized by CityLab010, an initiative that supports projects addressing urban challenges. Our project, Reefs 'R Us, stood out for its unique approach to reef development. It emphasizes the inclusion of nature, the creativity of local schoolkids, and the use of sand from the Maas region and waste concrete from the city. Our mission: to raise awareness about climate stress and biodiversity loss in the Maas region. Our vision: to install our purpose-built reefs in the Maas region to increase biodiversity and nature resilience.
Engaging the Local Community: Workshop at OSG Hugo de Groot
Fast forward to November 2023, Coastruction hosted a workshop at OSG Hugo de Groot in Rotterdam. One of our main goals is to engage local communities and nurture environmental responsibility among the youth. So, Sam van den Oever, our mechanical engineer, provided the students with insights into the crucial role coral reefs play in marine ecosystems and how our powder-bed 3D printing technology can aid in solving this challenge.
The highlight of the workshop was undoubtedly the hands-on activity, where students designed clay models of artificial reefs. Their creations reflected both creativity and a shared commitment to ocean and river wildlife conservation. After the workshop, our team transformed some of these designs into functional structures that will enhance the awareness on the loss of biodiversity but also increase the biodiversity at our target location, Persoonshaven in Rotterdam.
Developing Asterix: Scaling-Up
One of the most important milestones of our Reefs 'R Us project was the development of our 1 cubic meter printer: Asterix. The subsidy also aimed to enhance our production process, enabling us to scale up our operations. Asterix allows us to produce larger, more robust reef structures. This printer represents a significant advancement in our capabilities, ensuring we can meet the growing demand for sustainable reef structures.
Printing Phase: First Structure of over 250kg
The Reefs 'R Us purpose-built reef was the first print produced with Asterix, and it was a resounding success. This structure, weighing over 250kg, demonstrated the robustness and reliability of our technology. Made in part with recycled cement, we were confident in its strength, and the lifting process confirmed this—despite initial nerves, the structure was easily lifted off the print plate without any issues. This milestone not only showcases the capabilities of our technology but also marks an exciting step forward for our team. The design, inspired by the creativity of students from OSG Hugo de Groot and completed in collaboration with Urban Reef, resulted in a unique and functional final product.
The Final Phase: Installation in the Persoonshaven
The final phase of our Reefs 'R Us project took place on the 13th of May when we installed the finalized reef structure in Persoonshaven. This installation represents the culmination of a project that has seamlessly integrated art, science, and community involvement. The intricate designs, developed in collaboration with young adults, civil engineers, ecologists, and Rotterdam designers, offer a multidisciplinary approach to reef restoration.
These reefs are not just ecological structures but also aesthetic additions to the (underwater) landscape, fostering a deeper connection between people and aquatic ecosystems.
Celebrating the End of The Reefs 'R Us Project
On Friday, 13th of October 2024, we celebrated the end of our project with the installation of three additional reef structures. These structures were selected from the creative clay models designed by the students during the workshop. After scanning their original clay models, we printed the chosen designs at five times their original size. The three new structures were placed next to the larger, previously installed 250kg structure in Persoonshaven. We celebrate this achievement with some of our key stakeholders: Urban Reef and Clear Rivers. Drinks and lively discussions followed, rounding off a successful and collaborative project finale.
Looking Ahead
Our mission remains steadfast: to increase local biodiversity, enhance environmental quality, and promote sustainability through our purpose-built reefs. We look forward to seeing our structure become an integral part of the environment. If you're curious, feel free to visit Persoonshaven to see our structures firsthand!
Thanks to CityLab010's support, we have successfully completed the Reefs 'R Us project and developed our first Asterix. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the students from OSG Hugo de Groot and Urban Reef for their design assistance, Clear Rivers for the timelapse documentation, and Van Oord for their help with the installation.
We are excited about the progress we made during this project and are already working on new projects for 2024. Together, let's continue to push the boundaries of innovation and work towards a sustainable future for our rivers. Stay tuned for updates on our latest projects and their results!