3D-Printed Bio Tiles Installed in Miami May Inspire Coral Solutions for the Caribbean

Can 3D-Printed Tiles Help Marine Life Thrive—And Maybe Fight Climate Change?

In Miami’s Morningside Park, a new kind of shoreline is taking shape—one that mimics nature. Sara Pezeshk, a postdoctoral researcher at Florida International University’s Institute of Environment, has launched a pilot project testing BIOCAP tiles: 3D-printed, modular seawall components designed to resemble coral reefs.

The tiles—full of nooks, crannies, and texture—offer a dramatic contrast to flat concrete walls. The goal? To create microhabitats that encourage marine biodiversity and help urban shorelines better withstand the effects of erosion, rising seas, and habitat loss.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the two-year project, formally titled Promoting Coastal Biodiversity through AI-driven Modular Seawall Design and Construction, is investigating how AI-designed biomimicry might restore natural ecosystems while also protecting infrastructure. Pezeshk leads the work as Principal Investigator.

But could this innovation cross over into the Caribbean, where coral reefs are under threat?

“The project I’m working on primarily targets marine species native to Biscayne Bay,” says Pezeshk. “Although the design wasn’t specifically tested for coral restoration, the Bio-tile system certainly has potential. To support coral restoration in the Caribbean, we’d need location-specific research that considers native species and environmental conditions.”

That research could be the next frontier. As rising temperatures and coastal development continue to strain marine ecosystems, hybrid solutions like BIOCAP tiles may offer a scalable, science-backed way to support marine life—reef by reef, seawall by seawall.

Learn more at: www.fiu.edu

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.