DOMINIC LIM CO
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Archireef 3D Printed Coral Tiles (2019-Present)

In 2015, Hong Kong suddenly lost ~90% of its existing coral populations due to undetermined causes. As a response, a team of marine biologists and architects from the University of Hong kong have developed a series of 3D - clay printed artificial coral reef tiles that were deployed in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park to aid new coral growth over the coming years.

I was the computational designer in the team, and led the fabrication, design and installation of our artificial reef tiles, coming up with the algorithmic strategy and the fabrication of the tile given requirements from the marine biologists of the team.

The project eventually turned into the startup Archireef, where I worked as the second employee as a production manager in Abu Dhabi and our work was featured on CNN, Bloomberg, FastCompany and other major news channels.

Can we tile the seafloor with coral-aiding structures like we tile our homes?

From 2019 to 2022, I worked as a computational designer and product manager at a startup called Archireef, a startup that developed a 3D printed Coral Reef system to help government coral restoration efforts in the UAE and Hong Kong. The corals planted in the tiles we developed had a 98% survival rate and our work was featured on CNN, Bloomberg, FastCompany, and other global news outlets. From then on, we’ve raised investor funding and now work with governments across different countries. I was the 2nd employee in charge of R&D and designing the tiles using algorithms and 3D software with input from the founders who were marine scientists, as well taking a variety of hats from managing operations and fabrication in the factory floor to thinking about logistics.

Project Details

  • Role: Computational Designer, Production Manager

  • Skills: Python, Rhino, Kangaroo, Product Management and Operations Management

  • Project Type: Computational Design Work

  • Team: Archireef Team (www.archireef.co)

  • Project Date: 2019 - Present