CONCEPT DIAGRAMS

WATER CIRCULATION REEF CREATION RE-STRUCTURING WALLS SEAGRASS MEADOWS

Marine Playgrounds

BREAKING AND RE-FORMING

Over the last century, Edinburgh’s coastline has undergone enourmous physical changes as land reclamation took place to create the areas of Granton and Leith. This land reclamation, coupled with the extensive fishing and overharvesting of oysters and mussels across the Firth of Forth, severely affected Edinburghs marine ecosystems.

Through our research, we focused on the concrete shoreline wall as the most prominent interface between the manmade and the natural across our site. My investigation into Granton’s sea wall revealed that not only was land reclaimed from the sea, but the sea and the seabed had also been reclaimed through dredging and the construction of breakwaters.

In order to re-establish the connection between the inner harbour and outer sea, the design focuses on re-structuring the wall to create a sea defense system which promotes water connectivity, biodiversity, conservation, and community engagement.

Tiered Protection

The first and strongest line of defense creating a calm water zone directly behind the breakwater allowing oysters to more readily establish. The breakwaters also create an intertidal zone habitat suitable for a variety of delicate marine life.

Cradle Protection

MASTERPLAN

1:1000

Habitat Creation

Intertidal concrete blocks imitate the specific conditions of tidal habitats as the tides change.

ECO-CENTRIC DEFENSE

Re-engineered breakwaters defend the inner harbour while allowing water flow. Ecoconcrete armour blocks promote biodiverse tidal zones.

Natural

DEFENSE

Artificial oyster reefs dissipate wave energy and create a calmer inner zones for seagrass meadows