Honorable Mention: Innovative Minds 2013 – Virtual Context
Sagay: Tubbataha Marine Life Sanctuary
Ma.Concepcion V. Roxas, John Nikko Macabagdal, Jenilyn A. De Robles, Christian Lyle D. La Madrid, Junellene Feliz R. De Jesus, Fernando Angelo B. Lagman
VILLEGAS-ROXAS CONSULTANTS
Philippines
Coral Reefs are marine structures made of limestone formed by the skeletons of colonies of coral polyps. They are one of the most valuable and diverse ecosystems in the world. The biodiversity within this ecosystem include fish, molluscs, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, tunicates, and other cnidarians. These marine structures are a sight to behold because of the various colors and forms of life that exist. (http://www.msc.ucla.edu/sswims/links_files/FrankLessonPlan.pdf)
Although reefs cover only 0.2 per cent of the world’s ocean, they contain about 25 per cent of marine species and are renowned for their biological diversity and high productivity. (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/agm/publications/documents/Climate_Carbon_CoralReefs.pdf)
This somewhat rare occurrence, however, doesn’t save from destruction caused by various causes.
Located at Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines, The Tubbataha reef is one of the most gifted reef systems in the world. It houses 396 species of corals—85% of all coral species in the Philippines, 80% of those in the Coral Triangle and about half of all coral species in the world. However, the reef is plagued with different reef destruction causes – dynamite fishing and ship grounding incidents among others. In recent years, the threats are presently held at bay by Tubbataha’s park management – at least for irresponsible fishing. (http://wwf.org.ph/wwf3/downloads/publications/TubbatahaCaseStudy.pdf)
While the reef is monitored by reef rangers 24/7, the damaged reefs caused through the years cannot be brought back unless we take action. This is the sole purpose of the Marine Sanctuary (NAME OF STRUCTURE) – to protect and recreate lost coral reefs. This tourism infrastructure will house restaurants, tourist centers, marine ranger reef monitoring offices, and a Virtual Marine Life Immersion (VMLI) Facility.
This facility will immerse the users on what marine life looks and feels like as if you were underwater. This facility employs virtual information through visual representation of true to scale marine life projections. There are three levels of VMLI Facilities. The first level depicts the destruction of the coral reefs through man-related activities. The second level depicts the destruction of the reefs through natural causes or global warming. The bottom most level depicts a utopia of coral reefs where man and corals co-exist and benefit mutually.
Coral reef growth ranges from 5 mm/year to 100 mm/year. The structure is made with steel structural members that are fitted with low-voltage electrical current to facilitate accelerated reef growth. In time, even when the structure is still operational or abandoned, the structure itself will become a coral reef haven replacing the reef destroyed from Tubbataha reef. This new coral reef will become the largest man-made coral reef that will house millions of marine flora and fauna. The vision of creating a safe house for marine life while maintain human activities and progress will be fulfilled by this development.
Design Concept
Resurgence: Reef restoration through human virtual visual awareness and regrowth.
Through the efforts of the Philippine government, NGOs and the residents of Cagayancillo (introduction of place), Tubbataha reef is slowly recovering from the devastation of poaching and irresponsible fishing. However, even with the full effort of the Tubbataha Park Management, There are still incidents of ship grounding and illegal fishing happening. The concept is creating awareness from bottom up to the people of the country, foreign tourists and officials through a tourist destination that will provide a Virtual Visual Presentation about the reef system. Moreover, To bring Tubbataha back to its pristine glory, the regrowth of the reef that were destroyed should be facilitated and accelerated.
Reef building coral polyps will be fitted throughout the structure in depths that are suitable for corals to live in. This facilitated growth of corals will make the coral reef and the structure one. The concept of resurgence of the coral reefs with the efforts of human intervention will become a model of reef preservation and regrowth.
