設計:Alex Schofield

如今,我們的生存足跡已對全球生態系統產生了災難性影響。受到人為條件破壞,珊瑚礁正大面積地消失,速度已超過了它們恢復和生長的速度。該項目展示了3D 打印碳酸鈣珊瑚基質的新應用,一旦嵌入能夠對水生生態系統進行針對性的干預和人工恢復。更具體地說,3D 打印的碳酸鈣基質可代替構成活體珊瑚蟲的堅硬家園。這種獨特材料的開發促進材料方法學制造并補入了3DP 碳酸鈣腳手架以支持更廣泛的海洋生物生態系統。3DP 碳酸鈣目前正在進行結構、拼貼和碎片測試用于進一步作為活體修復人工珊瑚,同時展現了生物基質協助其他海洋生物生長的前景。修復人為原因造成的物理破壞,重建健康和具有生物多樣性的水生生態系統是干預的最終目標。
該項目不僅僅植入和補充了珊瑚生長基質,還建立了人工建筑環境與周圍自然生態系統之間的聯系。現在,我們思慮建筑之外的世界邊界,將曾經堅硬的海岸線與水體邊界摩挲的更加柔軟。本項目幫助海岸線基礎設施建設、生物修復基質與建筑表面,促進水生生物的生長。
混凝土和其他陸地建筑材料等替代材料在用于水下制造時會因自身生產過程浸出不良副產品,并造成大量碳排量。捕獲和封存碳的新技術,本質上是從環境中清除有害的二氧化碳,不僅能夠減少日益增長的二氧化碳污染,也可以創造碳酸鈣的可再生來源。將設計和材料創新與快速和可定制的3D 打印技術前景相結合,可以在獨特環境中靈活部署,保護海洋生物。
項目的初衷和發明都為直接解決世界危機。人類目中無人地生活著,難以想象會給世界帶來怎樣顛覆的變化和影響。項目從人類和水生生物需求的角度出發,在建筑環境很少考慮的空間里發揮著重要作用。作為陸地上的哺乳動物仍然能夠對我們可能從未訪問或看到的生態系統產生巨大影響。因此,我們設計和建造建筑環境必須平等于地球上所有生命體。該項目精密的計算設計和碳酸鈣材料制造極大程度上方便了人為建筑環境融入自然共生系統。
The footprint of our existence has had catastrophic impacts on ecosystems globally.In particular,coral reefs are being decimated by human-induced conditions quicker than they can recover and grow.This project exhibits novel application of a 3D printed coral substrate,in form of the material substrate Calcium Carbonate,as targeted intervention and artificial restoration for aquatic ecosystems.More specifically,Calcium Carbonate is 3D printed to mimic materiality which makes up the hard structural home of coral’s living polyp inhabitants.This unique material development has led to the invention of material methodology in support of a wide range of ocean life ecosystems by fabricating and reseeding a 3DP calcium carbonate scaffold.The 3DP calcium carbonate is currently being tested as structures,tiles,and frags used to further test live applications in support of artificial coral restoration,but also shows promise as a biological substrate for the growth of other ocean life.The ultimate goal of such an intervention is the cultivation of a healthy and biodiverse aquatic ecosystem through adaptation and repair of physically damaged environments caused by anthropogenic sources.
This project and application goes beyond simply a substrate to seed and supplement the growth of coral,but creates a link between our anthropocentric built environment and surrounding natural ecosystems.What once was a hard edge,being our coastlines and interface with water bodies,is now being explored as a softer edge as we reconsider our interface between the world beyond buildings.This project has applications in coastline infrastructure,aquaculture,and bioremediation as substrate and surface to foster growth of aquatic organisms.
Alternative materials for underwater fabrication,such as concrete and other land based materials of the built environment,often leach undesirable byproducts and contribute a large carbon footprint in the process of their own production.However,new techniques of Carbon capture and sequestration from our atmosphere,essentially removing harmful CO2 from our environment,can also create a renewable source of Calcium Carbonate while helping diminish our growing CO2 pollution.By combining design and material innovation with the rapid and customizable fabrication potential of 3D printing,this unique application for ocean life conservation can be readily deployed at various scales in any unique environment.
This project’s origins and inventions come in direct response to a world in crisis.We are seeing the world change in such a way as reflected from our modus operandi as humans who have little considered our impacts.This project most importantly operates at the intersection of both human and aquatic needs,a space seldom considered within construction of the built environment.While we may be land dwelling mammals,we still have great impact on ecosystems we may never visit or see and thus we must consider our intentional design and construction of a built environment that is equitable to all living organisms on this planet.This project’s methodologies of computational design and fabrication utilizing CaCO3 provide various benefits for a shift from an anthropocentric built environment to that of a symbiotic one.




