Living Breakwaters

Summary

Breakwaters are rocky sloped walls placed within the water column that can drastically dissipate destructive wave energy. This project explores a mix of sub-tidal beds as well as forms that extend above the high water line. Communities are protected by the exposed breakwaters; areas that can benefit ecologically from slow inundation are paired with the sub-tidal forms. Living breakwaters are specifically adapted not only to attenuate waves, but sited and designed to create aquatic habitat and foster recreational and scientific use of the area.