SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
RDL X UTS X SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Reef Design Lab collaborated with scientist David Booth and Giglia Beretta from University of technology Sydney and the Sydney Opera House to design a series of fish habitat research structures. The units had to be monitored using video surveys so we needed to allow for visual inspection from all angles. 12 steel structures had textured ceramic panels installed internally and 12 structures were kept bare. The panels were used to mimic small rock ledges which would normally be used as protective habitat by the target fish species.
These panels will quickly be colonised by temperate organisms making the structures mini temperate artificial reefs. Installed beside the Sydney Opera House the units will be monitored over the next few years. The research will help to inform how piers and other marine structures could be built in the future to be more fish friendly.
Thanks to Sydney Institute of Marine Science for supporting the project as well.
Visit the Opera House website to read more about the project below.
HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN
RDL worked with the City of Helsingborg to design a series of lightweight structures for growing native seaweed and creating juvenile fish habitat along industrial seawalls. The structures consisted of ceramic substrate plates attached to an undulating stainless steel frame which was attached vertically to the flat concrete seawall. The curved frames create a self stabilising structure using minimal amounts of material.
The project is currently being monitored and will add to the growing knowledge base of restoration techniques for built marine infrastructure.
