3D-printed concrete 'miami reef star' prototype now on display

The ReefLine: Transforming Miami’s Coastal Waters

The OMA-designed ReefLine is on its way to redefine the underwater landscape off the coast of Miami Beach, creating a seven-mile stretch of ecological and artistic innovation. This ambitious project will integrate culture with marine conservation, including a snorkel trail, a sculpture park, and a hybrid reef system designed to encourage marine biodiversity within the ocean ecosystem. The masterplan is being designed by OMA/Shohei Shigematsu and conceived by cultural placemaker Ximena Caminos, who will serve as the project’s artistic director — read designboom’s previous coverage on the ReefLine.

The centerpiece of The ReefLine’s early phases, the Miami Reef Star, has made its above-water debut during this year’s edition of Art Basel Miami Beach. This massive 90-foot installation comprises fifty-six star-shaped, 3D printed structures, scaled down for public viewing along the shores of Miami Beach. Once deployed at full scale underwater, the structures will function as a hybrid reef and marine habitat for at-risk ecosystems. The prototype is currently on display during Miami Art & Design Week 2024 — see designboom’s complete guide to the week here!

visualization © Mateo Rembe, courtesy The ReefLine

Pioneering Materials for a Better Future

The Miami Reef Star is a multi-functional marvel and prototype for The ReefLine sculpture park and underwater ecosystem. Constructed from dozens of smaller star-shaped modules, the structure provides habitat for fish and coral while serving as a sculptural example of site-specific art. Its design takes inspiration from natural forms like starfish, blending playful aesthetics with ecological purpose. Advanced materials and engineering ensure it supports marine life while functioning as a carbon sink, capturing and storing atmospheric CO2.

The ReefLine employs cutting-edge technologies like CarbonXinc, a sustainable concrete blend that reduces carbon emissions, and Coral Lok, a device that accelerates coral reef regeneration. These innovations underline the project’s commitment to ecological restoration, addressing the sharp decline of the nearby Great Florida Reef, the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world.

visualization © Mateo Rembe, courtesy The ReefLine

Phased Implementation

For artist Carlos Betancourt and architect Alberto Latorre, both of Puerto Rican heritage, The ReefLine is deeply personal. Inspired by iconic works like Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Surrounded Islands, their design weaves together cultural identity, artistic vision, and environmental urgency. The project also honors Miami’s tradition of bold artistic statements while addressing the vulnerabilities of its coastal ecosystems.

The ReefLine will unfold in stages, with Phase I launching in spring 2025. Argentine artist Leandro Erlich’s Concrete Coral will kickstart the effort by transforming 22 submerged concrete cars into a coral reef habitat. The Miami Reef Star is part of Phase II, which will follow over the subsequent two years. Future phases promise more visionary works, such as Petroc Sesti’s Heart of Okeanos and Shohei Shigematsu’s ‘living breakwater’ modules.

image © Steve Kehayias, courtesy The ReefLine