Urban Reef views the city as a living landscape, a reef. A bio-inclusive city provides shelter not only for humans, but for all kinds of life. However, non-human interests are often disregarded: urban areas turn into biodiversity deserts and heat islands. Porous spaces and microclimates support urban ecology and reduce climate problems.
The algorithm-generated, 3D-printed 'Reefs' offer variations in humidity, porosity, materials, and orientation to sun, wind, and rain. The sculptures absorb water and heat and function as urban ecological stepping stones. In the upcoming prototype, IoT sensors measure climate fluctuations, while a playful 'Tamagotchi' visualizes the data for passersby.
About Urban Reef
Urban Reef is an adventurous startup that researches, develops and designs for the bio-inclusive city.
Bio-inclusive: designing for and with all life
The city is a refuge for all kinds of life, not just for people. Urban Reef questions the human relationship with nature: it's not about controlling, denying, or restoring the environment to a permanent state, but rather about stimulating its diversity and dynamism. Urban Reef contributes to opportunities for spontaneous rewilding in the city by designing with microclimates. To coexist with multiple species on the planet, we (humans) must create more space for wilderness in cities: both physically and in our collective thinking.
The city is a living reef
Urban Reef envisions the city as a living landscape, a reef. Through research, design, technology, and theory, they develop examples of the bio-inclusive city. The prototypes that stimulate rewilding are called Reefs. Reefs are labyrinths of shelter for organisms, formed by algorithms inspired by natural growth, and 3D-printed with (living) materials. Reefs can absorb (rain)water, reduce urban heat, and create a diversity of microclimates and nutrients, thus contributing to climate adaptation and creating more opportunities for biodiversity in the city. People can interact with the Reefs through both their senses and integrated sensors.
Research into material, form and life
Several labs are researching the development of Reefs: Living Material Lab, Natural Growth Lab, and Design & Interaction Lab. The Living Material Lab consists of experiments with (natural) materials for 3D printing. To develop a material that is porous, durable, and attracts organisms, Urban Reef conducts numerous experiments with biomaterials. In the lab, coffee, mycelium, seeds, paper, and sludge are mixed to experiment with various strengths, thicknesses, and structures. The Natural Growth Lab delves deeper into how materials, shapes, and physical conditions play a role in the thriving communities of organisms. The Design & Interaction Lab works on conceptualizing the Reefs, visualizing ideas, and developing prototypes to help the bio-inclusive city grow. This includes philosophical theory, computational design, and prototyping with 3D printing techniques.
Zoo Reef
Prototypes in development
Two concepts are currently in development. Zoo Reef is primarily intended to green fountains in urban areas. The 3D-printed structure forms a labyrinth of cavities. By varying porosity, space dimensions, and orientation in relation to sun, wind, and rain, different conditions are created for biotopes in the city. The spontaneous growth in Zoo Reef can be monitored via sensors and an app. Further research is underway to develop an interactive interface, inspired by the Tamagotchi, to make data more accessible.
Rain Reef is a 3D-printed rain collector that disconnects a downspout from the sewer and consists of a capillary material. Its complex geometry ensures that as much water as possible is absorbed into the porous material, and the variety of microclimates increases the potential growth surface for vegetation. The rainwater stimulates biodiversity and creates a buffer. To optimize this, the rain collector anticipates the weather forecast using built-in sensors. Mixing (living) materials helps explore new applications. Monitoring growth and climate conditions provides insight into natural development processes.
Rain Reef
Innovation centers
Urban Reef uses pilot projects where the Reefs are tested on-site. The advantage of this is that multiple parties can remain involved in the development process and the innovation can be publicly monitored. This provides practical experience that helps improve the prototypes. The pilot projects assist with:
– developing and implementing the Reefs in various locations in the city;
– measuring microclimates with permanent sensors and testing;
– observing the organisms that live in and around the Reefs;
– gain insight into how different cavities help provide protection against wind, sun, rain and organisms;
– measuring how the thermal capacity, porosity and capillarity of the material contribute to biodiversity and climate adaptation.
In 5 years
In 5 years, Urban Reef looks back on how the experiments worked, what
helps define materials, techniques, and forms, which are then applied on a larger scale. A green and dynamic environment positively impacts the city's livability, as it creates an attractive living environment. The city can retain more water during heavy rainfall and counteract the urban heat island effect. There are many opportunities to apply Reefs within the city. Urban Reef can lay the foundation for a new kind of architecture.