rrreefs - a new home for corals

Our mission is to revive 1 % of coastal coral reefs by 2034 - restoring rich marine biodiversity for healthy oceans and people. Solving the climate and biodiversity crisis is one of biggest and most urgent challenges of our times. We help coral reefs survive until we get there.

THE RRREEFS SYSTEM Customized shape The size and shape of the reef structure is customized to fit local topography and water flow conditions. That is how modularity enables the effective redirection of currents for erosion protection, and the creation of ecological niches with different sizes and flow conditions to promote a high biodiversity. Eco-engineered surface The surface structure of our bricks is scientifically designed to help coral larvae settle and survive, promoting coral reproduction and growth and ultimately – adaptation new new environmental conditions. Our biodiversity-enhancing design provides a lot of new habitat with very little resources. About 20 corals, 60 fish, 30 crustaceans, 10 large molluscs, and 20’000 tiny reef animals (>0.5 mm) find a home in one cubic meter of our reef. Working with nature Over time, our system evolves into a self-sufficient coral reef with high biodiversity and strong genetic variability among coral populations, creating a resilient ecosystem. It provides valuable ecosystem services like a natural reef and enhances natural adaptation to climate change. OUR APPROACH The International Coral Reef Society states “The coming year and decade likely offer the last chance for international, regional, national, and local entities to change the trajectory of coral reefs from heading towards world-wide collapse to heading towards slow but steady recovery”. We rebuild coral reef structure to regenerate reef life and restore coastal protection capacity. Our reefs are eco-engineered to promote the settlement and growth of young coral and increase diversity and abundance of fish and other marine organisms. Our aim is that our structures develop into self-sustaining reefs over the years, bringing back abundant marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion and flooding, and increasing the resilience of coastal communities. The lego-like architecture of our system allows for customized reef shapes that fit into the local environment, creates habitat diversity, and diverts currents. The surface structure of each brick helps coral larvae settle and grow by interacting with water flows to transport the tiny larvae towards the substrate. It then provides them with sheltered spaces with sufficient light and protection from predators and sand settlement. The hollow bricks provide excellent habitat for smaller and juvenile fish, crustaceans, sea urchins, nudibranchs, and many other critters that find shelter in reefs. GET INVOLVED There are many ways for you to become part of our mission! - Adopt a brick - Build a crustacean cove - Build a mollusk manor - Build a parrotfish paradise - Donate Discover the different options in our shop: https://www.rrreefs.com/get-involved/#shop

Impact:

- Wissenschaftliche Forschung verbessern

- Massnahmen zur Abwehr von Naturkatastrophen verbessern

- Klimaneutralität erreichen

- Kompensationsmassnahmen anbieten

- Informationsangebote für Mitarbeitende und Bevölkerung durchführen

- Ozeangebiete nachhaltig schützen und renaturieren

- Übersäuerung der Ozeane reduzieren (pH-Wert)

Nutzen:

- Unternehmensrisiken minimieren

- Attraktivität als Arbeitgeber steigern

- Unternehmens-Reputation steigern

- Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung wahrnehmen

- Aktiven Umwelt- und Klimaschutz betreiben

Unternehmenspräsentation

rrreefs

rethinking, rebuilding, regenerating coral reefs. We rebuild coral reefs. Sustainably. Scientifically. With artistic vision. Our innovative, modular structures are designed to restore and promote reef life and serve as coastal protection barriers. Our reefs recreate the lost 3D-framework of a damaged reef, restoring reef ecosystem services such as fish stocks, tourism, biodiversity, and coastal protection. We achieve this goal by combining artistic vision with scientific rigor, and the newest 3D printing technologies.

SCIENCE - We want our reef system to become better and better. That is why we do not just build rrreefs, but accompany every implemented project with scientific investigations and a thorough monitoring program. For example, we test how well young corals survive on different surface patterns on our reef modules, or which aspects of our reef are particularly beneficial for fish and other reef organisms. We also investigate how we can use surface and reef geometry, and material composition to lower the growth of certain algae that compete with coral. We combine field experiments and controlled laboratory experiments with computer flow simulations and regularly incorporate the latest coral reef research by the scientific community into our work. All these insights help us to iteratively make our reef system better.

ART - We believe in art as a catalyst for individual action and societal change. Artifacts, whether they relate to art, design, or architecture, serve as anchor points for communication and behavior to people from diverse cultures. We work visible to the public through exhibitions, raise awareness of the importance of coral reefs, and showcase the symbiotic relationship between art and the natural sciences. Moreover, we allow people to experience our work hands-on in its conceptual stage – as a piece of art inspired by nature. The aesthetic qualities of our system (like the multi-level complexity of the design or the warm color of the clay) not only make it attractive to corals and other marine organisms, but they also turn our rrreefs into living pieces of underwater art to be experienced by divers and snorkelers, with the potential to lower the touristic pressure on natural reefs.

EDUCATION - Education on the topic of coral reef loss, its connection to climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution, and possible solutions to tackle the current environmental crisis is crucial for broadening our impact. That is why we organize reef-building workshops together with local partner organizations for local and international workshop participants, ensuring an effective knowledge and skills transfer. We also carry out educational programs, give scientific or inspirational talks, and gear our media presence towards educational content. To reach as many people as possible and build a community of environmentally conscious supporters, we tackle multiple channels, like TV, radio, print media, and social media. The final aim is to encourage re-thinking and behavioral change among citizens, consumers, private actors, and political decision-makers.