Researchers from the Florida International University’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts are advancing climate resilience research through the installation of the first BIOCAP tiles along a seawall in Miami’s Morningside Park.
Led by Dr. Shahin Vassigh, director of FIU’s RDF Lab, alongside Dr. Sara Pezeshk and Dr. Teri Watson, both graduates of the FIU School of Architecture Doctor of Design program, the interdisciplinary project marks a major milestone in the development of nature-based solutions for vulnerable coastal communities.
After navigating extensive permitting approvals, the team successfully installed the first BIOCAP tiles earlier this month. Developed through a collaboration between FIU’s RDF Lab and scientists from FIU’s Institute of Environment, BIOCAP is a 3D-printed modular tile system designed to support marine ecosystems, improve water quality and reduce wave impact along urban seawalls.
Inspired by the structure and performance of natural coral reefs, the tiles feature textured surfaces, shaded grooves and water-retaining pockets that create habitats for oysters, barnacles, sponges and other marine organisms. These organisms naturally filter water while contributing to healthier shoreline ecosystems.
The design also addresses one of Miami’s most pressing environmental concerns: rising sea levels and coastal erosion. By mimicking natural shorelines such as mangroves and rocky coasts, the BIOCAP tiles help diffuse wave energy before it strikes seawalls directly. Their concave geometries and increased surface area are intended to reduce erosion while creating cooler and more stable microenvironments for marine life during extreme heat events.
The installation at Morningside Park launches a two-year pilot phase for the project. During this period, researchers will evaluate how effectively the tiles improve biodiversity, water quality and wave attenuation in real-world conditions.
The research team is using underwater cameras to capture time-lapse imagery of marine organisms colonizing the tiles over time. Embedded sensors within the BIOCAP system will also monitor pH levels, dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity and temperature in real time. Additional pressure sensors will compare wave energy reduction between the BIOCAP-covered seawall and adjacent traditional seawall sections.
The project demonstrates the powerful intersection of architecture, digital fabrication, marine biology and environmental science. Through emerging technologies such as 3D printing, FIU researchers are exploring innovative ways to help coastal cities like Miami adapt to climate change while restoring ecological balance along urban shorelines.
The BIOCAP initiative has received support from the National Science Foundation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, reinforcing the national significance of FIU’s interdisciplinary research efforts in coastal resilience and environmental innovation.
