This widely publicized project is a showcase for nature-based and nature-inclusive design. Images: SCAPE
Following Hurricane Sandy, Staten Island’s south shore, particularly Tottenville, needed protection from wave energy and erosion while also addressing long-term ecological degradation. The area had lost much of its natural coastal defense due to dredging and the historic decline of oyster reefs, creating a clear need for climate adaptation solutions that could combine coastal protection, ecological restoration, and community engagement. (Image: Tide pools integrated into the rock breakwaters, 2022)
The Living Breakwaters are widely regarded as a benchmark for nature-based coastal resilience, combining structural functionality with ecological and community value. By integrating eco-engineered armor units and tide pools into offshore breakwaters, the project reduces wave energy and erosion while creating complex marine habitats, including “reef ridges” and “reef streets” that support oysters, mussels, and other native species. It also enabled an almost entirely on-site mitigation approach, helping reduce in-lieu mitigation fees by approximately 80%. (Image: Biological growth on Armor Blocks)
