Miami Beach is getting ready to unveil The ReefLine, an innovative project that combines art, marine conservation, and sustainable design. This underwater sculpture park, which will stretch seven miles off the coast, will serve as an artificial reef and snorkeling and diving trail, providing a vital habitat for marine life and a unique cultural experience for visitors.
Conceived by cultural manager Ximena Caminos and designed by the architectural firm OMA, led by Shohei Shigematsu, The ReefLine integrates works by internationally renowned artists. Among the featured installations is Leandro Erlich’s “Concrete Coral,” a submerged recreation of his work “Order of Importance” (2019), which consists of a traffic jam of twenty-two concrete car modules, destined to be colonized by marine life.
Another iconic piece is Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre’s “Miami Reef Star,” a 90-foot structure composed of 3D-printed star modules that work as hybrid reefs and marine habitats. This work uses advanced technologies such as CarbonXinc, a sustainable concrete mix that reduces carbon emissions, and Coral Lok, a device that accelerates the regeneration of coral reefs.
Location and innovations
Located approximately 600 feet off the coast of Miami Beach, The ReefLine will be deployed in phases over 7 miles, becoming a submerged ecological and cultural corridor. The first phase, which includes the installation of “Concrete Coral,” is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025.
The ReefLine is not only an artistic attraction but also an environmental conservation initiative. The project serves as an artificial reef that provides essential structures for corals to attach and grow, creating habitats for diverse marine species.
In addition, the use of sustainable materials and innovative technologies underscores the project’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and restoring degraded marine ecosystems.
Design stages
The development of The ReefLine has been planned in multiple phases, each incorporating art installations and structures designed to promote marine biodiversity and raise awareness of climate change.
- Phase 1 (Spring 2025): The projectwill begin with Leandro Erlich’s “Concrete Coral,” an installation that recreates a traffic jam with twenty-two concrete car modules, intended to be colonized by marine life and symbolize the transformation of the negative effects of vehicles on the environment.
- Phase 2 (2025-2026): Will include several significant works some of which are detailed below:
- “The Miami Reef Star” by Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre, is a 90-foot structure composed of 3D-printed star modules that work as hybrid reefs and marine habitats.
- “Heart of Okeanos” by Petroc Sesti, a sculpture that mimics the heart of a blue whale, is designed to be colonized by corals and serve as a shelter for marine life.
- Barrier and superstructure modules designed by OMA/Shohei Shigematsu, are geometric modular units that will unfold and stack following the topography of the seabed, acting as living breakwaters and connecting the different art installations.
These phases reflect an interdisciplinary approach that combines art, architecture, and science to create a space that is not only aesthetically appealing but also functional in the restoration and preservation of marine ecosystems.
