SEDIMENT SKELETONS (Cornell University)

Sediment Skeletons hybridizes landscape architecture and infrastructure to produce a string of islands along the western coast of Galveston Bay. This artificial archipelago along the west side of the Houston Shipping Channel in Galveston Bay provides defense against storm surge before the waves even reach the shoreline, while also contributing to ecological habitat growth and increased recreational space out in the bay. While acting as breakwaters against sea level rise, the islands
draw the people of Galveston out into the water to reconnect and enhance daily life. The islands themselves are constructed with a durable, grid-like structure into which dredged material can be placed. These structures mimic the dredged material placement areas (DMPA) that are scattered throughout Galveston Bay. Unlike the existing DMPAs, the Sediment Skeletons allow for new recreational opportunities for civilians and enhanced infrastructural capabilities for the Army Corps of Engineers. This project aims to take full advantage of the millions of cubic tons of dredged material removed from the Houston Shipping Channel each year.