Nature-Centered Design: How Design Can Support Science To Explore Ways To Restore Coral Reefs

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing a continuous process of degradation which is a result of both human activity and natural causes. Using digital design tools and design thinking methods, designers can help the global effort to find new ways to better understand the next practices of protection and restoration of coral reefs that experience devastating annihilation. This example reveals a new challenge - Nature-Centered Design - which is the next practice needed for the coming colossal challenges in our Anthropocene era. In the current research the efforts were focused on finding new ways to create artificial corals made of bioplastic, using different materials, colors, sizes and forms stemming from the same scanned model. The different 3D coral designs were tested for fish behavior around them. The early results of the research show that 3D printed corals can be installed and become a habitable place for fish. This finding helps to support a recovery of a reef since fish, as inherent part of the reef, can protect and enrich a new planting of corals. This case highlights the potential of tackling environmental challenges through design.