Sustainable Seawalls Designed to Enhance Nature and Stop Erosion!
Living Seawalls™ is an industry leading and eco-driven solution designed and engineered by Kind Designs to safeguard coastal areas while fostering marine biodiversity. This innovative concept integrates cutting-edge technology to enhance natural ecosystems, creating resilient and sustainable seawalls at the same cost as a traditional seawall.
Rather than conventional flat concrete structures, Living Seawalls™ features an artificial reef on the facade of the seawall that offers shelter and 60% more surface area for sea life to attach, encouraging colonization and the creation of a robust coastal ecosystem. Our seawalls enhance biodiversity and fortify the coastline while mitigating the impact of waves and tides, supporting a healthier and safer coastal environment.
The Design: Bring Your Waterfront to Life with Customized Living Seawalls!
Kind Designs’ Living Seawalls™ have irregular ridges and textures, created through 3D-printing technology, which act as anchoring sites and micro-refuges for microorganisms, protecting them from intense wave action.
Living Seawalls™ were designed using a biomimicry approach to resemble mangroves, a typical natural coastal habitat in South Florida. Biomimicry—emulating nature in architecture and construction—enhances traditional coastal infrastructure by creating habitats for native species. By emulating nature, Living Seawalls™ fosters marine biodiversity and promotes coastal resilience.
The design of Living Seawalls™ establishes an optimal habitat for coastal sea life in South Florida, supported by extensively researched principles from prior studies, data, and scientific knowledge.
Background: Transform Your Shoreline with Eco-Friendly Living Seawalls!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Sarasota Bay as a priority water body in Section 320 of the Water Quality Act 1987. In 1992, the SBEP published Sarasota Bay: Framework for Action, which characterized the condition of Sarasota Bay and presented preliminary options for Bay improvements. The findings documented problems associated with wastewater and stormwater pollution, loss of wetlands and seagrasses, loss of fishery habitat, and increased demand for Bay resources. This publication became the precursor to the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), which prescribes an overall plan to restore the bay and provides specific actions for the community to implement.
The Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (entitled Sarasota Bay: The Voyage to Paradise Reclaimed) was first published in 1995. In 2022, the SBEP produced the latest update to the CCMP, entitled “Restoration & Resilience.”. The current CCMP, under the Watershed Action Plan Strategy, aims to improve shoreline resiliency and actions to implement effective strategies. Sarasota Bay and its watershed are highly urbanized regions. Roughly 75% of the Sarasota Bay shoreline comprises seawalls protecting valuable waterfront properties. Traditionally, these seawalls were constructed of marine-grade concrete. However, new seawalls and replacement seawalls are being built with various plastic (vinyl) products, which are cheaper and easier to install than concrete. Because of this, it is unlikely that the industry will ever revert to concrete.
As an unforeseen consequence of this development, there has been a concomitant loss of valuable intertidal oyster habitat associated with concrete seawalls. The SBEP and other environmental groups value healthy oyster communities for their well-known ecological services. In a small, unpublished study last year, the SBEP found a significant difference in oyster colonization of concrete vs. vinyl seawalls throughout the estuary. These results and copious observations have led us to search for innovative remedies to this growing problem.
Proposed Solution: Enhance Coastal Resilience with Our Living Seawalls!
International Subsea Services recommends creating a “living seawall” at Bayfront Park Recreation Center on Longboat Key, FL. We service across South Florida, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota Counties, and surrounding areas such as Seminole, North Port, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Brandon, Riverview, and the Tampa Bay area. The Town of Longboat Key manages the Recreation Center, a public facility. Its goal is to provide affordable, wholesome recreation for youth, adults, and senior citizens.
This includes leisure and recreational sports, organized sports leagues and activities, educational programs, cultural classes and seminars, social functions, and special events for all ages and interests. It has a 300-foot seawall along the bay, which is this RFP’s subject. The two photos below show the existing seawall before the center was renovated. No changes to the seawall were made during the renovation. Your project will need 30 panels in total. Each panel will be approximately 10 x 12 FT long and approximately. 10,000 Lbs.
Customized Seawall Designs - Tailored Solutions for Every Shoreline
Upgrade your coastal defense with our state-of-the-art “living seawalls” solutions in Florida. Our expert team specializes in seawall repair and maintenance, ensuring your coastal infrastructure remains robust against the elements. As a leading seawall repair and build company, International Subsea Services prioritizes durability and sustainability in every project.
From seawall erosion control to meticulous construction, we implement innovative techniques to safeguard your shoreline. Our solutions don’t just protect; they mitigate storm damage, preserving Florida’s coastal communities. Contact us today to secure your shoreline for generations to come.
