SEOUL DESIGN AWARD

Habitide is creating products inspired by our journey in Deptford Creek for the health of streams and water quality. HabiTide is specifically designed to handle pollutants like heavy metals, making it an ideal solution for contaminated environments.

Deptford Creek is an ecological heritage place within Lewisham, accounting for 2% of the tidal Thames' natural edges. Despite its environmental importance, human activities have severely damaged the riverbed.

In the 1990s, more than 480 shopping trolleys were removed from the riverbed, resulting in a 50% reduction in fish populations in Creek.

In response, the team has developed sustainable structures that provide shelter and spawning grounds for migratory fish.

The lattice structures act as shelters for smaller fish by creating a stable internal environment that is protected from tides.

The structure, named HabiTide, is created by upcycling salmon bones from local fish markets, recycling clay from construction sites, and transforming sodium alginate from brown algae.

HabiTide can improve heavy metal contaminants such as lead, cadmium, and copper, as solid adsorbents such as clay, and substances including phosphate adsorb and fix these contaminants.

Furthermore, HabiTide aims to visualize the interaction with tides, establishing a connection between humans and the underwater ecosystem, while raising awareness about environmental issues.