SYMBIOSIS OF OYSTERS

by Fenton Lau

The proposal is an oyster farm and hatchery located on the old pier of the Albert Island next to the City Airport, west of Central London. It aims to achieve a symbiotic relationship between architecture and the Thames, raising public awareness about oyster farming and it's potential as future food and a water filtering device. Tidal waters brings in nutrient for the growth of oysters which makes up the operation of the building.The project is partially immersed in the water so that visitors are able to observe how the oysters grow and develop. The large roof is made of tabby concrete, which is a mixture of cement and oyster shells (detrious from the farming process) . Its rough surface provides a microhabit for marine microrganisms and shells to attach and grow, similar to an oyster reef. As the sea level keeps rising, it will serve as a total articicial reef in the future.