Rhizolith Island

Description

Rhizolith Island is a floating, coastal infrastructure that revitalizes depleting mangrove forests along vulnerable shorelines with ongoing flooding. The modular form of the elements uses advanced concrete technology to strengthen ecological performance of the island as a resilient breakwater and reinforces appreciation of ecologies that surround and protect communities. The project is a collaboration between architects, material scientists, coastal engineers, the local government, and NGOs.

Statement of the jury

Mangroves provide countless animal species with a habitat. Specially shaped concrete provides mangrove roots with robust anchoring elements, so that they can withstand strong waves. An exciting project which, using simple functionality, has a major impact.