3D Printing to Rebuild Hong Kong’s Marine Ecosystems by Zaha Hadid Architects
09 January 2026: Zaha Hadid Architects’ (ZHA) Nereid project uses large-scale 3D printing to create coral-inspired marine habitats for Hong Kong’s North Lantau Marine Park, addressing biodiversity loss by fabricating porous, pH-neutral structures from sustainable materials that foster algae, shellfish, and food chain growth, supporting species like the endangered Chinese White Dolphin and showcasing advanced design for ecological restoration
At the World Design Congress (WDC) 2025, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has presented a ground-breaking marine habitat concept in collaboration with D-Shape and the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). Called Nereid, the concept is a digitally created habitat designed to restore the marine environment in Hong Kong’s North Lantau Marine Park conservation area, is at the front of this effort.
Nereid, which was created utilizing cutting-edge 3D printing technology from D-Shape, is a testament to the creative partnership between ZHA and HKSTP and shows how design can spur ecological resilience while tackling the pressing issues of biodiversity loss and human influence on marine habitats.
“The collaboration highlights the visionary design of Zaha Hadid Architects, the ingenuity of D-Shape, and our commitment to innovative solutions for environmental challenges,” said Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer of HKSTP.
Nereid works with Professor James Fang, a marine physiologist and toxicologist from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to address the growing concerns of urbanization, land reclamation, climate change, and marine pollution. By offering hydrodynamic and restorative advantages that encourage the organic renewal of coastal ecosystems, the habitat seeks to increase marine biodiversity.
Nereid’s unique characteristics are intended to replenish essential food supplies, with a particular emphasis on fostering phytoplankton and filter-feeding shellfish, which are essential elements of the marine food chain. D-Shape’s cutting-edge 3D printing technique uses pH-neutral ingredients in a low-carbon concrete mix to produce bio-mimetic structures that mimic the textures of natural reefs, which makes them appropriate for use in a variety of coastal areas.
This program acts as protection against harmful activities like bottom trawling in addition to promoting the restoration of marine habitat. Nereid is a ray of hope for developing regenerative marine infrastructure, which is consistent with HKSTP’s objective to promote innovation.
