At the 2025 World Design Congress in London, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) unveiled Nereid, a digitally fabricated marine habitat created in partnership with the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and 3D printing pioneers D-Shape. The prototype embodies the Congress theme “design for planet,” exploring how architecture and technology can drive ecological resilience.
Developed for Hong Kong’s North Lantau Marine Park, Nereid addresses biodiversity loss caused by climate change, pollution, and urbanisation. Its biomimetic forms, fabricated using D-Shape’s large-scale 3D printing with low-carbon, pH-neutral concrete, emulate the complexity of kelp forests and coral reefs. By encouraging the growth of phytoplankton and filter-feeding shellfish, the foundation of the marine food chain, the structure fosters natural regeneration while providing a protective barrier against harmful practices such as bottom trawling.
The collaboration involved marine physiologist Professor James Fang of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, whose expertise in ocean health and seafood sustainability guided the project. HKSTP’s CMO Hilda Chan described the initiative as “a demonstration of the power of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem on the world stage,” while D-Shape director Mario Nuzzolese emphasized how large-scale 3D printing can “turn bold ideas into habitats where nature and innovation thrive.”
Nereid joins wider marine regeneration efforts in the region, complementing artificial reef programmes led by Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. These have already attracted diverse marine species—including barnacles, corals, oysters, and commercial fish, while also supporting the endangered Chinese White Dolphin.
The project forms part of ZHA’s broader research into sustainable design. Also showcased at WDC 2025 were the timber prototype for the Eco Park Stadium for Forest Green Rovers, 3D-printed concrete blocks from the Striatus and Phoenix bridges, and new initiatives in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, cork-based wall systems, and sustainable urban regeneration. Collectively, these works underline ZHA’s ongoing exploration of architecture as an agent of environmental performance.
As ZHA design director Christos Passas noted, Nereid is not only a prototype but also a framework for future collaborations: “This project is part of a wider approach developed with partners in innovative technologies to research and progress initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability.”
