The orientation of each row is different, meaning the rock pool-like insets are either angled sideways, upwards or down into the water, providing different conditions for different organisms. The modules were transported to the two sites site using a barge, before being lifted into place with a crane.Ī total of 74 interlocking modules have been installed, with each site comprising four rows of up to 10 Coastalock units. "Conventional concrete is quite toxic to marine life, and therefore tends to promote more opportunistic invasive species." A crane was required to lift them into place "Econcrete's patented admix is designed not only for structural performance but also for native marine ecosystems," Econcrete told Dezeen. This material uses eco-friendly admix that includes recycled materials and gives rise to a textured finish that encourages organisms to latch on to it when installed underwater. They were transported to two sites on a bargeĮach module installed along the bay was cast on land in steel formwork, using Econcrete's patented concrete, which goes by the same name. The size was determined to provide enough space for the textured rock pool indents, without reducing the overall strength of the unit.
"Coastalock is a fully load-bearing, durable solution that changes the form and function of our developed coastlines." Their indented surfaces encourage marine life to latch onĬoastalock modules have an octahedral shape designed for durability and to allow them to be easily combined with other units for stability. "This Blue Economy pilot is proving that the coastal and marine construction industry can achieve two goals at once: any concrete infrastructure going into the water can perform structurally and be good for ecosystems," said Shimrit Perkol-Finkel, co-founder of Econcrete. They double as coastal defences and marine habitats