SEAHIVE® | Civil and Architectural Engineering

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SEAHIVE is a University of Miami–developed shoreline protection system designed to reduce wave energy while restoring habitat in coastal environments. Inspired by the efficiency of natural systems and informed by years of research, SEAHIVE is a scalable solution to protect people, property, and ecosystems.

At its core, SEAHIVE is made up of modular, hexagon-shaped concrete units that can be arranged along shorelines. Water flows through the system, allowing wave energy to dissipate before reaching the coast. At the same time, the system’s structure creates space for corals, mangroves, and other marine organisms to grow, helping rebuild the natural features that once protected coastlines on their own.

SEAHIVE is produced using advanced manufacturing techniques, including concrete 3D printing, and represents a new generation of “green‑gray” infrastructure, engineered for performance, durability, and ecological value.

Why SEAHIVE Matters

Across South Florida and around the world, coastal communities are losing natural barriers that once reduced flooding and erosion. Coral reefs and mangroves, two of the most effective forms of coastal protection, have sharply declined. As these ecosystems disappear, shorelines become more vulnerable to storm surge, wave damage, and chronic flooding.

Miami Beach

Hybrid coral reefs for coastal protection
In Miami Beach, SEAHIVE is being tested as part of a University of Miami–led coastal resilience research effort. The project is supported through a broader federal research initiative, including funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), focused on protecting vulnerable coastal infrastructure. Here, SEAHIVE units are deployed offshore as hybrid artificial reefs. The structures are designed to break up waves while also serving as a foundation for coral growth. University of Miami scientists are studying how these hybrid reefs reduce wave energy, support marine life, and restore some of the protective services historically provided by healthy coral reef systems.

Pompano Beach

Supporting mangroves and community resilience
In Pompano Beach, SEAHIVE is part of a living shoreline pilot at Wahoo Bay, developed in collaboration with the nonprofit Shipwreck Park and the City of Pompano Beach. Installed along an existing seawall, the system is designed to reduce wave energy while supporting mangrove growth in a highly constrained urban setting. At Wahoo Bay, SEAHIVE transforms a hard shoreline into a living laboratory, one that supports fish, invertebrates, and mangroves while helping protect the surrounding community from flooding and erosion. The site also offers hands-on education, snorkeling access, and real-time research opportunities that connect coastal resilience science directly to the community.