Where Technology Meets Nature
Life below water is beautiful and complex. Coastruction picks up the challenge to produce reefs that equal those qualities
@Alessio di Fino
Building a Sustainable Future with Nature-Inspired and Purpose-Built 3D-Printed Reefs
OUR MISSION
Restore, Inspire, Innovate
Our main focus is to design, produce, and install 3D-printed purpose-built reefs to aid in the restoration of damaged reef systems and protect vulnerable coastlines. We believe that purpose-built reefs should be naturally shaped to suit the ecosystems they inhabit. When key species adopt their new habitat, there is a greater chance of success.
Subsequently, we aim to inspire people to foster sustainable relationships with marine ecosystems. While we have all contributed to the decline of the reefs, we can also all contribute to their revival. By involving every individual in the solution, we raise awareness and foster a sense of ownership.
Lastly, we aim to transforming concrete into a circular and eco-friendly material. Concrete accounts for approximately four to eight percent of all global man-made carbon emissions. Innovating and optimizing recipes to reduce CO2 emissions, repurposing production waste, and recycling depreciated concrete are part of our main mission at Coastruction.
@Alessio di Fino
OUR VISION
Nature as our guide
We could fill this section on the alarming decline of marine ecosystems and the tremendous impacts of reef degradation but there are experts in our network of collaborators out there who can describe it way better.
The causes of the decline all lie in human behavior. Through misunderstanding, ignorance and greed we have interacted unsustainably with the marine world creating a strong imbalance. Coming to a solution seems complex because we do not yet understand the details and interrelationships of all the cycles. However this shouldn't stop us from trying.
At Coastruction we know 3 things for sure:
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Collaboration is inherent in nature,
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Nature provides timeless wisdom in shapes and materials,
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Every organism plays a unique role on our planet, including us.
OUR STRATEGY
Symbiosis between nature and technology
In a healthy ecosystem, life forms are abundant with each organism taking its responsibility. Under harmonious circumstances, organisms can withstand external pressures and ecological fluctuations. The network stretches but bounces back into its state of equilibrium. This only works if everyone in the system fulfils his function.
At Coastruction we take our responsibility by creating 3D-printed reefs designed for local species and site-specific conditions to create the best possible fit into the ecosystem. We do this in collaboration with local knowledge holders who understand their environment best.
When we print, we only use natural materials aiming for the lowest CO2 footprint possible. Ideally, we use local materials such as beach sand or recycled concrete. Because we only ship our printers to work on-site we strongly reduce transport emissions. And finally, our printers are designed to create a circular process without waste.
@Alessio di Fino
NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Building with Nature
The imperative for a deeper comprehension of the intricate interplay between ecology and coastal engineering has spurred the emergence of design philosophies like Building with Nature (BwN), also known as Engineering with Nature or Working with Nature.
Building with Nature (BwN) is a design approach aimed at crafting Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for water-related infrastructure, including flood defense, sustainable port development, and ecosystem restoration. It leverages natural forces to promote economic, societal, and environmental benefits.
Coastruction embraces the BwN design philosophy to contribute to the creation of sustainable infrastructure solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2, 9, 12, 13, and 14.
OUR NETWORK
TESTIMONIALS
DR. MICHAEL SWEET
Professor molecular ecology,
University of Derby
"We are excited to team up with Coastruction to explore ways of in-creasing coral settlement on artificial reef structures. Coastruction uses modern techniques to provide a substrate for corals to settle. Our job at the Coral Spawning Lab is to ensure a constant supply of larvae so a partnership between our organisations was logical."
CARMEN VAN DER BURG-CATSMAN
Design Leader City Development,
Municipality of Rotterdam
"Coastruction's innovative printing technique makes it possible to print complex structures. This offers great potential to make existing paved shorelines attractive for marine life, thereby strengthening Rotterdam's delta."