Miami's first underwater park

OMA has designed Miami’s first underwater sculpture park and artificial reef, working with a team of marine biologists, researchers, architects and coastal engineers to enhance the coastal resilience of the Miami Beach shoreline.

Initiated by Argentinian curator Ximena Caminos, and intended to both raise awareness of and respond to rising sea levels and coral reef damage, The ReefLine features geometric concrete modules stacked around six metres under water and roughly 247 metres offshore.

The first stage of The Reefline is due for completion at the end of this year.

OMA will design the masterplan and one of the sculptures, bolstering the shoreline of Miami Beach against the effects of climate change. Running seven miles from South Beach to the north, the living breakwater will act as the “connective tissue” of the masterplan, and be punctuated by a series of site-specific installations.

The ReefLine, according to OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu, “is unique because it brings attention to and mitigates the dangers of climate change in Miami, while simultaneously enriching the city’s vivid art scene.”

The ReefLine features geometric concrete modules stacked around six metres under water and roughly 247 metres offshore.

Serving as an underwater sculpture park, snorkel trail and artificial reef, the project will provide a critical habitat for endangered reef organisms, enhancing biodiversity in the area.

The reef will be constructed with State of Florida-approved materials for artificial reefs: concrete and limestone that are chemically similar to natural reef substrate. It will provide a structure for corals and sponges to naturally colonise, and all artworks will be made from similar materials. Artists will have access to a 3D printer which can replicate artificial reef modules from cement.

The living breakwater will act as the “connective tissue” of the masterplan.

OMA and Shigematsu’s sculpture, “explores the nature of weightlessness underwater.” A sinuous spiral staircase mimics the circular formation of the atoll. With layered zones for coral reef growth, the stairs wind around a central space for underwater gathering and activities.

Leonardo Erlich will create an underwater incarnation of his sand-sculpted ‘traffic jam’, with ‘concrete coral’ reframing cars and trucks as new vehicles for environmental change.

The reef will be constructed with State of Florida-approved materials for artificial reefs: concrete and limestone that are chemically similar to natural reef substrate.

“This series of artist-designed and scientist-informed artificial reefs will demonstrate to the world how tourism, artistic expression, and the creation critical habitat can be aligned,” says Ximena Caminos. “The ReefLine is a singular investment in civic infrastructure, public art and environmental protection that will pay dividends over the coming decades and attract ecologically-minded tourists and art lovers to Miami.”

Construction is underway and will be completed in seven stages, with the first mile due to open December this year.

Artists will have access to a 3D printer which can replicate artificial reef modules from cement.