Researchers have proposed an innovative amphibious structure designed to restore and enhance coastal biodiversity while responding to the environmental challenges facing industrial waterfronts. The concept focuses on the Port of Los Angeles, a hard-edged, heavily engineered site that reflects conditions common to many aging port cities across the United States.
Sea coasts are among the most dynamic and sensitive environments, shaped continuously by tides, weather systems, and human activity. Shallow habitats and their close connection to terrestrial landscapes make these zones particularly vulnerable to ecological degradation. Decades of industrial development along urban waterfronts have often disrupted natural coastal processes, resulting in habitat loss and reduced biodiversity.
The proposed research-led design reimagines an obsolete concrete pier at the Port of Los Angeles as an amphibious structure capable of moving with tidal cycles and absorbing extreme weather events. Rather than prescribing a specific building typology, the study explores amphibious architecture as a resilient development strategy that allows structures to adapt to fluctuating water levels while minimizing environmental impact.
By integrating ecological restoration with architectural design, the proposal seeks to transform a former industrial asset into a living system that supports marine and coastal life. The amphibious structure is envisioned as a platform that coexists with natural processes, offering new ways for occupants to live and work at the water’s edge while responding proactively to sea level rise.
The research highlights the potential of amphibious structures to redefine future waterfront development, particularly in coastal cities increasingly exposed to climate change risks. By prioritizing adaptability, environmental sensitivity, and biodiversity, the proposal presents a model for how built environments can evolve alongside natural systems rather than against them.
