Step into the realm of marine conservation and ecoengineering as Artecology proudly unveils its latest handcrafted marvel—Refugia Tiles. Inspired in part by the groundbreaking work of Alex Goad and the University of Sydney's Living Seawall Tiles, and by our work with our friends in the Northeast of England, Groundwork Northeast & Cumbria, Artecology is busy creating a sustainable, locally crafted panel based solution for marine developments in the UK in response to client demand.
The Origin Story:
Upon receiving enquiries from UK civil engineers in search of a locally produced alternative to the Living Seawall Tiles, we undertook the mission to develop our Refugia Tiles. Despite later learning that Irish company, 'Inland & Coastal Marina Systems,' had acquired the rights to manufacture and sell the Australian design Living Seawall Tiles, we stayed on track with our commitment to prototyping our own Artecology panel design. Viewing this development as a chance to enrich the landscape of ecoengineering solutions, our circular designed Refugia Panels take a different approach to the restorative design principles of retrofit seawalls panels. We hope our own efforts will contribute to an ever increasing diverse ecosystem of meaningful ecoengineering solutions available in the UK and beyond.
Different by Design:
We think our wildlife refuge panels stand out not only for their complex three dimensional structure and large intertidal water holding capacity, but also for the simple circular panel design which enables the intentional creation of interstitial spaces between tiles. This unique feature amplifies ecological uplift, providing additional refuge and breeding grounds for marine life.
Building on Complexity:
The intricate structural designs of Refugia Tiles go hand in hand with the circular layout, maximising the potential for ecological impact. Our retrofit panels create microhabitats within the interstitial spaces, promoting biodiversity, bio-abundance and ecosystem resilience along our urban coastlines. Artecology's commitment to complexity and circularity extends beyond materials, structure and design—it's also a commitment to fostering interconnected ecosystems and the meaningful engagement of human beings.
Community Engagement with Artecology CoCreate:
Our Refugia Tiles have been developed with our commitment to public engagement in mind. Artecology CoCreate workshops invite community groups to actively participate in the creation of their own Refugia Tiles. This hands-on approach not only contributes to marine conservation efforts but also empowers communities to take ownership of their local ecosystem restoration projects.
Embracing Diversity in Ecoengineering:
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems LTD securing European rights to the Living Seawall Tiles is met with absolute delight by us at Artecology, and we really do congratulate them on sealing the deal! The way we see it, the more ecoengineering options available to developers and civil engineers etc in the UK and Europe the better it will be for wildlife in the long run. We truly believe that the growing diversity in ecoengineering and ecological enhancement solutions will contribute to a stronger, more resilient marine environment.
And finally:
We think that our Refugia Tiles mark a revolutionary stride in restorative urban development. Fueled by our dedication to ‘intentional habitat’ design, community engagement, and ecological diversity, we extend an invitation to all to stand with us in reshaping the trajectory of wildlife conservation. At Artecology, we don't view the creation of a flourishing natural world for future generations as a mere business plan; to us it’s a moral obligation that drives every innovation we bring to life.