Image credit:Daniela Jalfon. University of Miami School of Architecture
The goal of this "Experiment" is to create a science-based design framework founded on the information collected and the partnerships formed as part of the University of Miami’s University Laboratory for Integrative Knowledge (ULINK). This Project, led by a multidisciplinary team of professors at the University of Miami, seeks to accomplish two goals:
Develop and test coastal resilience strategies that combine grey (cement-based) and green (nature-based) defense strategies such as coral reefs to foster coastal resilience.
Improve and continue to work in a way that fosters transparency to display the effectiveness of these solutions to local stakeholders.
The research team has been working with the staff of the City of Miami Beach, Environment & Sustainability Department to reduce the vulnerability of Miami Beach and surrounding areas to the impacts of ocean waves, flooding, and storm surge.
Upon the deployment of the "test bed" we plan on gathering extensive in-situ data. This includes:
Coral reef growth and survival
Wave attenuation
Other hydrodynamic processess
Project Components
The project consists of three structure types
1. A Trapezoidal Breakwater
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
2. A Trapezoidal Breakwater with a Boulder Profile
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
3. SeaHive System
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
Structure Components
Each structure has three modular components that connect to one another to create a 5.5 meter long structure. They are all casted in a biophilic concrete mixture, which is designed to promote the growth of the corals. Additionally, included in the casting of each each structure are mechanimsms that will hold in place the coral fragments. These fragments will not be installed during the initial set-up to ensure the environment has had time to settle.
Each structure will be spaced 9 meters away from one another. The total project will span 35 meters.
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
Location
The site is located 215 meters off the coast of North Miami Beach. In the North Shore Open Space Park in Miami-Dade County between R-38 and R-39.
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
Credit: Daniela Jalfon, University of Miami School of Architecture
