ReeForm

Project idea

ReeForm is a marine research and coral regeneration center located in Quseir, Egypt, designed to address the critical decline of marine biodiversity along the Red Sea. The project proposes a new architectural system that doubles as habitat infrastructure—its walls are designed not only to enclose space but to host coral growth. By integrating vertical coral propagation systems directly into the structure, ReeForm positions architecture as a functional part of marine restoration.

The system supports coral growth through carefully differentiated environments: shallow water corals are cultivated on sun-exposed vertical mesh walls, while deep water corals are grown inside controlled vertical glass tanks embedded within the structure. Once matured, all corals are safely transferred back into the sea to repopulate damaged reef zones.

The project is modular, scalable, and adaptable to similar coastal areas suffering from ecological degradation, offering a solution that bridges science, architecture, and environmental repair.

Project description

ReeForm is a modular marine research and coral regeneration complex located along the coastline of Quseir, Egypt. The architecture is distributed across a fragmented field of vertical structural modules, each tailored to support coral growth, scientific research, community interaction, and public education. The building is organized to function simultaneously above and below water, combining ecological infrastructure with architectural programming.

Each vertical unit is composed of steel scaffolding frames layered with marine mesh and bio-reactive substrates. Within and around these structures, a wide range of specialized spaces are integrated:
Key Program Zones:
Marine Science & Coral Propagation:
Vertical mesh walls for shallow coral cultivation
Central deep-sea vertical tanks for temperature- and light-sensitive species
Marine biology laboratories for coral growth research and water quality monitoring
Drug production labs dedicated to marine biocompound extraction and analysis
Coral transport infrastructure using mechanical lifts and conveyor arms
Underwater basins for early-stage coral growth and habitat simulation

Public, Educational, and Cultural Spaces:
Interactive VR and AR exhibitions explaining reef systems and restoration processes
Environmental library housing marine science literature and global data
Observation decks and suspended walkways offering public interaction with active research zones
Halls for lectures, workshops, and educational gatherings
Cafeteria and gathering zones for researchers and community visitors

Fabrication & Local Integration:
Coral tile production workshops with 3D printing and testing labs
Material development labs for ecological substrate innovation
Retail zone for reef-safe products and coral extracted drugs

Infrastructure & Support Systems:
Pump rooms located at the base of each structural wall, drawing seawater and distributing it via internal piping to each coral-growing level
Precision nozzles embedded throughout mesh layers and tanks to ensure consistent nutrient-rich water flow
Skylights and intentional spacing between modules maximize natural light exposure for coral photosynthesis
Suspended bridges and platforms ensure smooth circulation and visual continuity across all program zones

Technical information

The structure is composed entirely of modular steel scaffolding frames paired with marine-grade mesh surfaces designed to support coral attachment and ecological growth. The system avoids the use of concrete cores, relying instead on lightweight, prefabricated steel components anchored into the seabed for both structural stability and minimal ecological disruption.

Key technical features include:
Vertical mesh facades and 3D-printed coral tiles tailored to simulate reef textures and support coral colonization
Glass cubicles embedded within the frame, functioning as deep-water coral tanks and controlled research environments
Integrated mechanical lifts and horizontal tracks for transporting coral fragments between growth stages
Skylights positioned between modules to ensure natural light access to shallow coral zones
Strategic spacing between structural units to reduce mutual shading and maximize exposure for coral development
Suspended walkways and lightweight bridges allowing public and research access across the fragmented structure

At the base of each wall, dedicated pump rooms draw seawater from the surrounding site. These pump rooms operate independently and feed water vertically through internal pipe systems that distribute it to each level. The water is then released via precision nozzles embedded within the mesh structures and coral tanks, ensuring consistent flow and nutrient delivery throughout the system.

The design is fully modular and scalable, enabling its deployment across various coastal conditions. All systems are engineered to be low-maintenance, marine-compatible, and repeatable, making ReeForm a replicable blueprint for architecture-led ecological restoration.