Intertidal Objects: Interrogating the Object in its Territories

This project investigates repair and fortification of shorelines against erosion and storm surge while creating environments hospitable to flora and fauna. Much of our urban coastline exists as vertical sea walls or “riprap” stones used to armor the coast against erosion and wave action. “Intertidal Objects” aim to promote living shorelines with installations that cultivate native species while providing erosion protection of the shoreline.1 Starting as research within my practice, this became a design prompt for architecture students to develop and fabricate ecological prototypes for the shoreline in New York City. From a pedagogical standpoint, this weaves together form-making, material science, fabrication technology, urban waterfronts, and ecology. The study aimed to a.) create prototype ecological interventions along urban shorelines that can aggregate for larger ecological impact; b.) execute a material study of concrete that utilized rapid prototyping for design and fabrication of complex forms, moving from digital to material realms; and c.) cultivate a design-build pedagogy with a hands-on approach that encourages accountability, embracing constraints, and understanding scale.