Rain Reef - Blue City
Project Launch - 06/2022
The project was launched in collaboration between Urban Reef and Blue City.
Project end - ongoing
Location - BlueCity Lab
The project is a joint effort with Citylab010 (Municipality Rotterdam), who provided funding along with BlueCity Lab, the building along which the reefs are installed.
The project's main objective is to understand how rainwater can be caught and used for enhancing microclimates for biodiversity.
A unique design
The reefs are made with ceramics. With the Rain Reef, the geometric complexity is combined with the capacity of the reef to store rainwater, thus complementing existing drainage. The reef is self-sufficient, requiring minimal maintenance.
The four reefs installed each have a unique design, with a spout from which the rainwater may overflow when the reefs are full.
A genuine team effort
The project is probably one of Urban Reef's most long-lasting one, and one which has attracted considerable attention. The project has continuously mobilised a multidisciplinary team:
2 people designing and 3D printing new Rain Reefs (4 per year)
1-2 people - weekly measuring
1 person - analysing data (2 times per year)
5 persons - developing new projects
Project highlights
Thanks to their design, a cooler and more humid microclimate forms in the reefs. On average, we have measured that the Rain reefs are on two degrees cooler than the surrounding climate. This provides a refuge to various organisms, while also mitigating the heat-island effect.
Attracting academic research
Dave Matser, from Universiteit Utrecht has released a research paper, entitled Enhancing the bioreceptivity of ceramic Rain Reefs as part of his minor research project of the master Bio-Inspired Innovation.
Links
Enhancing the bioreceptivity of ceramic RainReefs - Dave Matser
CityLab10. URBAN REEF. CIRCULAIRE REGENTON VOOR BIODIVERSTITEIT
Instagram post - BlueCity reefs design
Reef - Rotterdam Rooftop Walk
Project Launch - 05/2022
We initiated the project by reaching out the the province of South Holland and Vogelbescherming NL, a dutch bird protection organisation
Project end - 26/06/2022
Location - Roof of the Bijenkorf
The project is a joint effort between the province of South Holland, Vogelbescherming and the Green Village at TU Delft (the location of the project)
Goals
The project was an exercise to research how a specific organism (sparrows) interact with the reefs to understand their specific habitat requirement and inform the development of future designs. How well we could integrate the specific needs of sparrows in the design.
A unique design feature
The designs were based on the Diffusion Limited Aggregation (the natural salt formation process) strategy with a birds nest positioned in it, printed with clay.
Project's highlights
The project was sponsored by Citylab010 alongside Rooftop Walk itself. This project marked a huge step in increase the exposureand media coverage of Urban Reef at a national level.
Links
URBAN REEF, DESIGN FOR BIO-INCLUSIVE CITIES
ROTTERDAMSE DAKEN DAGEN. JE KAN HET DAK OP!
Instagram post - Reefs at the Rotterdamse daken dagen
Reef - Yuverta High School
Project Launch - 01/2023
Project end - 06/2023
The project was conducted in collaboration with the province of South Holland and Vogelbescherming NL, a dutch bird protection organisation.
Location - Diergaarde Blijdorp
The project is financed by and conducted in collaboration with the Yuverta High School. Directly involved in the project are Urban Reef's founders Max and Pierre, three teachers and the school's director.
Goals
The project also is educational. We partnered with 20 teachers to integrate the Reefs into the school's biology, agriculture and technology courses. Students learned about sustainable design and ecology by directly interacting with the Reefs on their school playgrounds. Students are being taught how to make bio-films, take microclimatic measurements of humidity, PH and temperature with sensors.
A unique design feature
The designs of the Yuverta reefs are our biggest ones. The structures are human size and made with ceramics, following an organic shape.
Links
Instagram post - Yuverta High School project
Sparrow Reef - Green Village Delft
Project Launch - 01/2023
We initiated the project by reaching out the the province of South Holland and Vogelbescherming NL, a Dutch bird protection organisation
Project end - 11/2023
Location - Green Village Delft
The project is a joint effort between the province of South Holland, Vogelbescherming and the Green Village at TU Delft (the location of the project)
Goals
The project was an exercise to research how a specific organism (sparrows) interact with the reefs to understand their specific habitat requirement and inform the development of future designs. How well we could integrate the specific needs of sparrows in the design.
A unique design feature
The designs were based on the Diffusion Limited Aggregation (the natural salt formation process) strategy with a birds nest positioned in it, printed with clay.
Links
Reef - Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo
Project Launch - 08/2022
Project end - ongoing
Location - Diergaarde Blijdorp
A joint effort with VPDelta, (he incubator, and Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo, providing the space to host the reefs
Goals
The project, initiated by VPDelta, was launched as part of an exhibition at the zoo. It serves as an in situ experiment to observe how the reefs evolve in the environmental conditions of the zoo as well as enhancing the reefs' exposure to the greater public.
Since the project's lunch, our team has been present at tours and exhibitions to introduce the reefs to Blijdorp visitors.
A unique design feature
We installed three Reefs on site; two dragon eggs and one large one with the design from the Floriade project. All are printed in clay.
Project highlights
The Zoo Reef positioned in a waterfall shows growth of algae and mosses due to the abundant humidity and nutrient flow.
Link
