Building a Sustainable Floating Marina: From Concept to Execution

The Vision: ✨

Al Bahr Marina

Inspired by M3's Smart Marina Architecture Award, we decided to design our own fully-sustainable, floating marina concept using the latest, innovations, technologies and materials in the process. Our goal was to create a floating marina concept that is not only functional, but also sustainable and a tourism destination, attracting locals, visitors and economic growth across a variety of industries to the chosen region of the United Arab Emirates.

A Timeless Harmony of Heritage and Innovation

Inspired by the rich heritage and natural beauty of the gulf coast, this marina is a testament to our commitment to preserving the past while embracing the future. Our goal is to utilize the latest innovative materials, design techniques and technologies to imagine a more sustainable future for our oceans.

Tribute to Tradition

Central to our vision is the preservation of the “way of life” cherished by the locals. The marina will serve as a communal hub where locals and visitors can engage in cultural exchanges, fostering a spirit of hospitality and respect for tradition. Educational programs on marine conservation and sustainability will be offered, ensuring that the legacy of the UAE's rich maritime heritage is passed down to future generations.

Design Concepts: 🎨

Seamless Integration With Nature: Located in a natural enclave renowned for its serene waters and stunning coastal landscapes, the marina will seamlessly blend with its surroundings, minimizing environmental impact. Solar panels, biodegradable materials, and advanced water purification systems will be integral to our operations, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.

As Above. So Below: Drawing inspiration from the intricate beauty of the UAE's marine ecosystems, our floating marina embodies the principles of biomimicry, integrating nature-inspired designs throughout its structure. Just as the vibrant coral reefs and seagrass meadows support diverse marine life, our marina aims to foster a thriving, regenerative environment both above and below the waterline. Through innovative biomimicry, we replicate the efficiency and resilience of natural systems, ensuring that our marina not only protects but also enhances local biodiversity.

Sustainability & Regeneration: Our mission extends beyond achieving zero environmental impact; we strive to restore and rejuvenate marine ecosystems acting as a leader in regenerative construction and design. This includes building and maintaining artificial reefs to encourage marine life, implementing advanced waste-management systems that mimic natural purification processes, and generating our own biofuels and renewable energy to sustainably power our facilities. By embracing nature's designs, our marina stands as a beacon of sustainability and a model for future regenerative construction projects.

Timeless Touch: The marina will blend modern amenities with the timeless allure of the UAE's coastal heritage. Featuring traditional wind towers, dhow-inspired structures, and Arabic geometric patterns, it honors the region's rich history. Visitors can explore souk-inspired retail areas, enjoy traditional Emirati cuisine, and participate in cultural events. By combining contemporary luxury with historical significance, the marina becomes a destination that respects the past while pioneering a sustainable future for marine tourism.

Technical Considerations: ✏️

Location Planning Matrix (Swipe to see more →)

Site Location	Depth*	Infrastructure & Accessibility	Current Tourism Activity	Environmental Impact	Structural Integrity & Materials	Space & Scalability	Cost & ROI Potential
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi	Moderate	High accessibility; well-developed infrastructure	High	Moderate; rich marine life needs protection	Good natural protection from harsh conditions; stable seabed	Easily scalable; ample space	High initial cost; high ROI potential
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi	Moderate	High accessibility; well-developed infrastructure	High	Moderate; rich marine life needs protection	Good natural protection; stable seabed	Easily scalable; ample space	High initial cost; high ROI potential
Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah	Moderate	Excellent accessibility; high infrastructure development	High	Moderate; rich marine life needs protection	Man-made island with stable structures	Easily scalable; ample space	High initial cost; high ROI potential
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai	Shallow to Moderate	Excellent accessibility; high infrastructure development	High	High impact; due to existing man-made environment	Stable man-made structure; well-maintained	Easily scalable; ample space	High initial cost; high ROI potential
Dubai Marina, Dubai	Moderate to Deep	Excellent accessibility; high infrastructure development	High	High impact; already a developed area	Deep waters suitable for large structures	Easily scalable; ample space	Moderate cost; good ROI potential
Fujairah Corniche, Fujairah	Shallow	Moderate accessibility; developing infrastructure	Moderate	High impact; diverse coral reefs	Protected by natural features; stable conditions	Scalable with natural protection	Moderate cost; good ROI potential
Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah	Shallow	Moderate accessibility; developing infrastructure	Moderate	High impact; rich marine life	Requires careful material choice due to shallow waters	Scalable with natural protection	Moderate cost; good ROI potential
Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi	Shallow	Moderate accessibility; developing infrastructure	Moderate	High impact; diverse mangrove ecosystem	Requires careful material choice due to humidity	Scalable with natural protection	Moderate cost; good ROI potential

*Depths: Shallow (<5m), Moderate (5-15m), Deep (>15m)

Building Materials: 🧱

Key Considerations:

Lightweight materials
Corrosion resistance
UV resistance
Sustainability
Toxicity
Local sourcing
Modularity & ease of maintenance
Cost-effectiveness
Lifecycle cost

Material Considerations:

Marine-Grade Aluminum: Excellent corrosion resistance, lightweight, and strong. Suitable for structural components.
Stainless Steel: Used for hardware and fittings due to its high strength and corrosion resistance.
Recycle High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Highly durable, resistant to saltwater corrosion and UV radiation, and promotes recycling.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP): Strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion and UV radiation. Used in various structural applications.
Eco-Friendly Concrete: Specifically formulated for marine environments including recycled aggregates (e.g., with additives to resist saltwater corrosion). Self-healing concrete that uses bacteria to seal cracks and prolong the lifespan
Treated Wood: For aesthetic elements and structures above the waterline. Must be treated to resist rot, insects, and UV damage.
Composite Materials: Fiber-reinforced polymers and carbon fiber composites for their strength, lightweight properties, and durability.
Recycled Materials: Incorporating recycled plastics and other materials can enhance sustainability.
Biodegradable Plastics: Derived from natural sources such as corn starch or sugarcane, reduces long-term environmental impact, decomposes naturally over time

Coatings and Treatments:

Anti-Fouling Coatings: Prevent marine organisms from attaching to submerged surfaces, reducing maintenance needs.
Waterproof Sealants: Protect materials from water infiltration and enhance durability.
UV-Resistant Coatings: Protect materials from UV degradation, extending their lifespan.

Companies Innovating the Construction Materials Landscape:

Self-Healing Concrete (ex. Basilisk) Uses bacteria that produce limestone to fill cracks automatically when exposed to water and air, extending the lifespan of concrete structures.
Bio-Based Materials (ex. UBQ Materials) Material made entirely from waste including all organics as a replacement for fossil fuel-based plastics in durable and semi-durable applications.
Eco-Friendly Coatings (ex. GIT Coatings) Provides advanced nano-coatings that protect materials from water, corrosion, and biofouling, reducing maintenance and extending lifespan.
Bio-Composite Materials (ex. BComp) Develops high-performance composite materials using natural fibres like flax, which offer a sustainable alternative to carbon and glass fibres.
Marine-Grade Bioplastics (ex. FlexSea) Creates bioplastics from fish waste that are strong, flexible, and biodegradable, suitable for various marine applications.

Features: 🛥

Welcome to Al Bahr Marina, where sustainable luxury meets the timeless beauty of the UAE's coastline. Designed to foster community, innovation and connection to our oceans, our state-of-the-art facilities offer a harmonious blend of modern amenities and traditional charm. Drawing inspiration from the region's unique marine biology, our designs bring the natural beauty to the forefront. You'll find elements reminiscent of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove root systems, along with bioluminescent lighting and pearl and shell surfaces, creating a captivating and immersive environment.

Inspired by "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker, our lobby sets the tone for the entire guest experience. It aims to transport guests into a unique, immersive world that contrasts with their everyday life. Thought-provoking art and installations are intentionally placed to encourage meaningful discussions about marine conservation and sustainability.

Lobby A common space designed for connection and community, where guests and locals come together to share experiences and create lasting memories. The mangrove root structures as inspiration for the design of lobby columns, light fixtures, and seating arrangements. The intertwined and supportive nature of mangrove roots can symbolize strength and resilience, creating a welcoming and secure environment. The lobby also features a souk-inspired retail offering captures the essence of traditional Emirati souks offering a curated selection of local crafts, goods and showcasing local pearls from the Suwaidi pearl farm.

Dining Options The marina offers a variety of dining options, from casual coffee spots to upscale oceanfront dining, ensuring every meal is a memorable experience. Savor ocean-inspired cuisine that celebrates the sea's bounty, with wellness ingredients like algae and seaweed to nourish both body and soul.

Lounge

It wouldn't be an Arabian night without a shisha lounge to complete the experience. Our elegant shisha lounge offers a relaxing ambiance where guests can unwind and enjoy good company. With plush seating, ambient lighting, and stunning views of the marina, it's the perfect spot to gather with friends and savour the evening.

Wellness Area & Spa

Our holistic wellness center offers state-of-the-art facilities designed for aquatic athletes and wellness enthusiasts alike. The center features an innovative indoor-outdoor pool for SUP yoga, alongside rowing machines and tower diving platforms, complemented by traditional training equipment. Within our serene yoga studio, guests can partake in a variety of wellness offerings, including ancient ceremonies that connect them with the power of nature, the earth's cycles, and the surrounding natural medicine.

Docks & Recreation Facilities State-of-the-art docking facilities catering to standard boats, yachts and featuring. an electric charging station which will provide the necessary infrastructure to welcome a new fleet of sustainable leisure marine vessels into UAE waters. Guests will also be able to enjoy a variety of sustainable water toys from e-foils to electric jet skis with electric charging stations powered by Aqua superPower.

Cowork & Event Space

Our marina offers spaces designed for productivity and collaboration, hosting educational sessions and talks by thought leaders in marine conservation and sustainability. This is a place where visionaries come together to inspire and shape the future. Workshops will cover topics like the latest advancements in marine technology, sustainable fishing practices, and the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. These weekly sessions aim to promote ocean advancements and foster a community of innovators dedicated to preserving our marine environments.

Hotel Rooms

Experience a night away from the bustle of the city in our serene escape. Our accommodations range from compact yet elegant rooms with large windows overlooking the ocean in our hotel tower to more secluded and uniquely crafted ultra-luxury offerings. Our rooms are created to evoke a sensory journey through thoughtful design and state-of-the-art amenities. Whether facing land or the open water, our rooms blur the lines between dreams and reality, creating an immersive oceanic experience.

Environmental Impact & Initiatives: 🐠

Water & Waste Management

Advanced waste and water management practices are implemented to protect marine life and set a new standard for environmental stewardship. To address the challenges of grey water, which includes wastewater from sinks, showers, and dishwashing, the marina utilizes greywater recycling systems. These systems treat and reuse water for irrigation, flushing toilets, and other non-potable uses. For black water, which includes wastewater from toilets, advanced treatment processes are employed to convert it into safe, reusable water for similar non-potable applications.

Technologies: Various initiatives and technologies acting together will significantly reduce the floating marina's impact. Vacuum toilets, which are currently on the market, significantly reduce water use and minimize wastewater volume and are implemented throughout to reduce water consumption. Additionally, compact bioreactors and electrocoagulation systems are used to treat grey and black water. The compact bioreactor system integrates a membrane filtration process (microfiltration or ultrafiltration) with a biological wastewater treatment process allowing for the efficient separation of solids and high-quality effluent. The electrocoagulation systems are adapted to treat grey water using electrical currents to remove contaminants.

Coral Reef Restoration

Through strategic partnerships with innovative startups, we are committed to creating a thriving coral ecosystem around our marina. Collaborating with startups like, Archireef, Coral Maker, The Reef Company and Rrreefs to deploy modular reef structures designed to support coral growth and protect marine life. Together, these partnerships enable us to pioneer a sustainable future for our marina, fostering a vibrant underwater ecosystem.

To monitor and track the sustainability of our efforts, we are integrating advanced innovations such as underwater drones and sensors such as Aquaai. These technologies provide real-time data on water quality, coral health, and marine biodiversity. AI-powered analytics help us interpret this data to make informed decisions and adjustments to our sustainability strategies.

Natural Cooling & Ventilation

Biomimetic Principle: Termite mounds feature a sophisticated ventilation system that naturally regulates temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. Termites achieve this by constructing mounds with a network of air conduits that allow for efficient gas exchange and passive cooling. The central column and surrounding structures use materials with high thermal inertia but are also porous, similar to the termite mound’s clay/mud composition. These materials store heat during the day and slowly release it during cooler periods, thereby reducing temperature fluctuations. The openings in the column are strategically designed to maximize airflow based on wind patterns and the buoyancy-driven natural ventilation principle. This design is optimized to enhance the capture of prevailing breezes and facilitate their flow through the interior spaces, enhancing the cooling effect.

Design Integration: In the floating marina, the termite mound-inspired central column acts as a thermal chimney. The column is constructed with multiple openings at various heights, which facilitate natural airflow based on the stack effect—warm air inside the marina rises and exits through the top openings, drawing cooler air in from lower openings. This continuous flow of air naturally cools the space without mechanical intervention.

Impact on Energy Consumption & Air Quality: By leveraging this natural cooling system, the marina significantly reduces its reliance on air conditioning, which can become extremely energy intensive during peak summer months. This reduction in energy consumption not only lowers operational costs but also minimizes the environmental impact of the marina. The continuous exchange of air also improves indoor air quality by reducing the accumulation of pollutants and maintaining moderate humidity levels, beneficial for both human comfort and health.

Bioluminescent Canopy

Our restaurant's night canopy demonstrates the possibilities from incorporating biomimicry design concepts, harnessing nature's wisdom to solve human challenges. Constructed from two sheets of acrylic that enclose a nutrient-rich environment where bioluminescent algae, naive to the Persian gulf can thrive. This setup, supported by a parametric truss, serves as a transport system that feeds the algae with temperature-regulated water and CO2, enabling photosynthesis. Remarkably, the algae double their numbers every few hours, creating a constant source of natural light.

The system is not just about illumination. The biomass produced by the algae is channeled into a photobioreactor, where it generates electricity. Any leftover biowaste can be repurposed into valuable products such as pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and biodiesel. The green-blue algae's bioluminescence can be controlled by adjusting the amount of algae inside, creating a customizable lighting experience. While generating constant electricity, this algae farm purifies wastewater and converts CO2 into oxygen at a 1:1 ratio, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Inputs:

Waste water 🛁 + seawater 🌊 + algae 🪸
Controlled temperature 🌡
CO2 (aka air) ⛅️

Outputs:

Illumination 🌌 (Bioluminescence)
Purified water 💧
Optional next step: biomass ☣️ -> sent to photobioreactor -> generate more electricity ⚡️ -> leftover biowaste sold/used for pharmaceuticals 💄, fertilisers 🌱, biodiesel ⛽️.

About The Ocean Edition

We are on a mission to build the future of sustainable coastal destinations. We work to support the most innovative startups in ocean and tourism industries grow their business and connect with the the resources, investment and commercial opportunities needed to make a global impact.

Want to connect with us?

✉️ Send an email to rachel@theoceanedition.com.

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