100 + INNOVATIONS
Arch _ Manu: BioShelter
Protecting and restoring inner city harbours with artificial seawalls while enhancing marine biodiversity
Learn More
Challenge
BioShelter restores natural habitats for native species by improving the water quality of a harbour. This was demonstrated by its proof-of-concept research in 2019 in Sydney Harbour, and the first product implementation was completed for the new Sydney Fish Market in July 2025. Further projects are in development.
Solution
Each BioShelter is unique and custom-made for its marine ecosystem. Site-specific marine biology data representing the local biodiversity provide the‘ design instruction’ for the artificial seawall. BioShelter’ s software uses these data to generate computationally designed models that marine biologists can assess. The software also generates fabrication information for the robot to 3D-print the seawall using custom-made sustainable materials and provides feedback in the design state on fabrication time and cost of the installation.
Target customers / end-users
• local and state governments
• environmental organisations
• organisations that want to contribute to UN SDG 14 – Life below water and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Progress
• Bioshelter is in its fourth iteration and at Technology Readiness Level 6
• third iteration validated by a marine biologist as able to attract local marine species and foster oyster growth
• completed two pilot projects with Infrastructure NSW.
Research Project
Validated( real-world setting)
TRL 6
Multidisciplinary team
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Design
A growing number of people are living in coastal cities. With the increasing need for space, shorelines are moving outwards. This results in the destruction of habitats for marine life and diminishes biodiversity. BioShelter counterbalances this through artificial seawalls, computationally designed using site-specific marine biology data, fabricated by robots.
• 13